A graduate of the Coventry High School Class of 1978, Suzanne Criscione Tracy’s love of all things CHS began when she was a student. The first CHS recipient of the Hugh O’Brian Award for Outstanding Sophomore, she was also awarded the prestigious Ardis Barbour Award, the highest honor a senior can be given. Suzanne graduated in the top ten of her class and was a member of both the RI and National Honor Societies. A four year member of student council, she served as President during her senior year. Her awards as a member of student council included the Hardest Worker Award, Best Organizer Award, Community Service Award, School Service Award, Outstanding Junior Award, and Outstanding Senior Award. Her classmates recognized her achievements by awarding her the senior superlative Did the Most for CHS.

After graduating from Providence College in 1982 with a degree in mathematics and a double major in education, Suzanne returned to the school she loves as a teacher. She has taught classes ranging from honors to inclusion. She has served on curriculum committees, mentored new teachers, and attended the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics National Conference.  Suzanne has served on the steering committee for the 1984 National Association of Student Councils Conference, NEASC committees, National Honor Society Faculty Council, and on the Coventry Superintendent’s Advisory Committee. In 2008 her excellence as a teacher was recognized by her colleagues with the Coventry High School Teacher of the Year Award.

Suzanne’s role as an advisor at Coventry is perhaps unparalleled in the school’s history. She has served as a Class Advisor, Hugh O’Brian Advisor, Coventry Teachers Alliance Scholarship Committee Chair, and she served on the CHS 75th Anniversary Committee. Homecoming, Varsity Revue, School Spirit Week, Freshman First Night, teacher appreciation events, the Hunt, Career Day, and developing the leadership abilities of many students at regional and national conferences are a just a few of the plethora of activities Suzanne oversaw as Student Council Advisor for 19 years. She was also the RI Association of Student Council’s Executive Director for 22 years. Her work as an advisor did not go unnoticed. Suzanne is the recipient of the CHS Student Council Service to Youth Award, Warren E. Shull RI Advisor of the Year Award, National Association of Student Councils Region 1 Advisor of the Year Award and the RI Association of Student Councils Service to Youth Award.

Married to George (Ted) for 32 years, and the mother of two CHS graduates, Ted(‘05) and Michaela(‘09), Suzanne has been an outstanding educator and a tireless promoter of her alma mater, as she has helped hundreds of students develop qualities to make them community leaders. Students at CHS that give their all day in and day out, that understand the class is more important than the individual, that offer a kind smile to their weary classmate, that show kindness to a stranger, are awarded the Oaker Award at graduation. Collectively, these positive actions build what is known in the CHS community as Oaker Pride.  Suzanne’s service to Coventry High School make her first and foremost an Oaker. There is no greater title that Suzanne aspires to, and it is one her actions have earned.