Bike Newport is Honored by Newport’s Public Education Foundation

It’s a great honor to be selected by the Newport Public Education Foundation as the 2025 Noreen Stonor Drexel Unsung Hero – for promoting healthy, active lifestyles among Newport youth through initiatives that teach life skills while instilling community values and environmental responsibility.

The extraordinary experience began in June when we received a letter of award from Kimberly Behan, former assistant Superintendent of Schools and current president of the Foundation. This beautiful letter explained in detail why Bike Newport was chosen. The letter alone was so confirming and rewarding, it was in itself an honor to receive.

The Foundation’s annual Evening for Education was held on October 23rd at Innovate Newport – a community hub that was adaptively redesigned from the former Sheffield Elementary School. The room was filled with a wonderful collection of community-minded people full of love and generosity for public education – teachers, administrators, advocates, volunteers, elected officials, supporters, philanthropists, old friends, and new friends.

Our award was presented by Dr Kimberly Behan, NPEF Board President, and a representative from each of Newport’s three public schools: Tracy Westman, Principal of Pell Elementary School; Erin McGloin, Life Skills Special Educator at Thompson Middle School; and Michael Monahan, Vice Principal at Rogers High School. Tracy, Erin, and Mike all spoke so eloquently about the unique programs that Bike Newport provides in their school, and the impact of those programs on students’ lives and learning. They shared stories of bicycles helping students to overcome barriers to learning, improve confidence, train motor skills, reduce truancy, uplift camaraderie, contribute to physical and mental well-being, and provide access to all the joys of the City that is their home. It’s hard to capture how meaningful it is to have your partners confirm everything you are hoping to convey in your programs. It was a very special moment indeed.

Bike Newport Executive Director, Bari Freeman, had the chance to thank the Foundation, the presenters, and the many supporters in the room. She introduced Clare Woodhead, Director of Education, and Gail Ruscetta, Community Educator, the forces behind all of Bike Newport’s public school programs. She recognized Superintendent of Schools, Colleen Jermain, for always supporting our proposed initiatives and helping us to make every bicycle education, bicycle distribution, and bicycle event a success.

It is the staff, board, volunteers, and donors to Bike Newport who make every program possible. Clare and Gail are supported by every member of the Bike Newport staff including advocacy, communications, bicycle mechanics and service, all operations. Board members Jim Fry, Brenda Delasanta, and Chyleene O’Connor were also present and represented the large and varied community of volunteers who help make every program a success, along with many generous community supporters and funders.

We were in the very distinguished company of three other awardees and the 15 members of the education community who were awarded NPEF Community Enrichment Grants. We offer our congratulations to all, along with our thanks for all they do as our community partners!

• Ruth Thumbtzen was honored as Friend of Education for her long-standing commitment to providing enriching experiences and opportunities for Newport students beyond the classroom.
• Team Fame, a program of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, was honored as Partner in Education for creating a safe and nurturing environment for middle school students that fosters academic and personal growth
• Sybil Grayko was named Newport Public Schools District Teacher of the Year for her innovative teaching methods, dedication to student success and leadership within the school community.

The evening was presented by the Bazarsky Family Foundation, a community leader in supporting public education and all education efforts.