The League of Women Voters of South County is pleased to announce this year's recipients of the 19th annual Susan B. Wilson Civic Education Merit Awards. Crystal Bozigian of North Providence High School in North Providence has earned the Grand Prize, Robert Petrucci of East Greenwich High School in East Greenwich, RI has earned the Jury Prize, and Amarís García of The Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts, in Providence, RI, has earned Honorable Mention.
In recognition of their achievements, an awards ceremony was held at the RI State House in the Library on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Recipients, their families, and colleagues were present, as well as the award evaluators and officers and members of the League of Women Voters Rhode Island.
During the welcome, Christine Martone, President, League of Women Voters South County, remarked “ The League believes that learning about the fundamentals of good government and the responsibility of each citizen begins in our schools. For students of today to become tomorrow’s leaders, civics education is essential. It is the most effective means to better understand and eventually take ownership of our democracy.”
In his keynote speech, Gregg Amore, RI Secretary of State, quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying - “The most effective means of preventing tyranny is to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large.” Sec. Amore noted that these three honored teachers are on the front lines of protecting our democracy.
The League inaugurated this award to honor teachers who have enriched their students' understanding of civic rights and responsibilities; have encouraged their students' civic participation; and have brought context and relevance to crucial events affecting the United States on a national, regional, statewide, or local level.
Further information about this award, the recording of the ceremony and a brief biography of Susan B. Wilson, a founding member of the League of Women Voters of South Kingstown/Narragansett, is available on The League of Women Voters Rhode Island website's Wilson Awards webpage:https://my.lwv.org/rhode-island/19th-annual-susan-b-wilson-awards
