Congratulations to Ian W. '27 and David I. '27, recipients of the 2026 Rhode Island Department of State Civic Leadership Awards. Presented by Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, these awards celebrate the accomplishments of Rhode Island students and reflect a commitment to prioritizing civic engagement.

Ian has demonstrated a profound commitment to service and leadership. He is trained in rescue scuba, holds ALS and BLS certifications, and recently completed training with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he will begin operational work this summer. He also volunteers with the Special Olympics to support inclusive athletics and recently completed a year-long Rhode Island civic leadership program.

Ian also serves as a volunteer archivist at the Butler Hospital Historic Medical Library. “I worked with the head librarian to document the history of the library and the valuable manuscripts and books it offers. The library has been neglected for a long time,” Ian said. He created a research poster for Brown Research Day to raise funds for the facility, with the ultimate goal of reopening the library to the public and making its resources accessible once again.

Over the past few years, David has strived to be an active member of both the Moses Brown and Rhode Island communities. His service is diverse: he volunteers in the Transport Department at Miriam Hospital, has spent the last two years working with Progreso Latino during Immersion, and has served on the Moses Brown Disciplinary Committee since his sophomore year.

David is particularly interested in the impact of Artificial Intelligence on education. “Last December, I traveled to a conference in Houston regarding the role of AI in our economy and schools, engaging in deliberations hosted by the CloseUp Foundation,” David said. “I was excited to share that knowledge with the Moses Brown community during a panel about AI, hopefully providing clarity and comfort regarding a topic that can feel obscure and foreign.”

The Rhode Island Civic Leadership Awards recognize high school students who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities. Each year, schools nominate two juniors who demonstrate a commitment to public service, leadership, and academic achievement. Awardees were honored at a ceremony this May.