Cumberland students win at SkillsUSA; committee honors retirees and receives state Blue Ribbon award

The Cumberland School Committee used its June 11 meeting to celebrate student and staff achievements alongside regular business.

Denise Provos, CT business teacher and SkillsUSA advisor, introduced students who competed at the SkillsUSA national competition. Ninth‑grader Charvesh Morgan placed 11th in the biomedical sciences pathway. Sophomore Bren Scott placed 10th in the business pathway. Cumberland High sophomore Ryan Feifer and junior S. Kashala Godavari — partners in the information technology pathway — placed first and brought home gold for the district. "I placed first in the Skills USA national competition," Ryan said, drawing applause from the committee.

The committee recognized a slate of retirees across the district: Leslie Graham (20+ years, English teacher at the high school); Phyllis Hutchkins (30 years as a school nurse with district assignments including Cumberland Hill and McCort); Hope Regan (29 years), Susan Miller (longtime first‑grade teacher and math interventionist), and others who have served as paraprofessionals and custodial staff. Principals and colleagues described years of mentorship, leadership in MTSS and daily commitment to students.

Administrators also updated the committee on facilities work — including sub‑slab depressurization and fire‑protection work — and announced that one Cumberland school received one of Rhode Island Department of Education’s three Blue Ribbon School awards for 2026. Principal Vaughn accepted the recognition and thanked staff, families and students for their contributions to the school culture that produced the honor.

The recognitions concluded before the meeting moved into substantive fiscal business and votes.