Ernie DiMicco ’66
After graduating from CHS, Ernie moved on to attend Providence College majoring in physics. In 1970 he began to teach general science and by 1974 he had earned his master’s degree from WPI. In the Fall of 1974, Ernie was approached by then Principal James DiPrete to be the Student Council advisor. The group was small and needed some new energy.
Upon accepting the position, Ernie immediately moved to make the group more democratic and more inclusive by allowing students to join and have equal privileges with the members elected from their class. He also moved to get the council involved in state, regional, and National Activities. In 1980, Coventry HS was chosen to host the 1984 NASC National Conference, an event that brought 2000 people to Coventry and some 4.6 million dollars to RI.
Ernie assembled a great team and the conference was a huge success. For his efforts, he was given the Distinguished Service Award from NASC and was named Citizen of the Year in 1984.
In the years that followed, Ernie was named Advisor of the Year 4 times and Region 1 Advisor of the Year in 1989 and 2004. During his time as an advisor the Homecoming Parade was founded (1979), the Varsity Revue became a regular event (1979), and Spirit Week was developed. In 1980-82 he served as the first president of the CHS PTSA and working with parents, developed the first Career Day which continued every other year from 1981 to 2004.
In 1996 Ernie was named Science Department Chair. During this he lobbied to increase the science budget from $3800 to $17000. All of the department textbooks and much of the technology was updated during his term. Mr. DiMicco wrote some $280000 in grants, many to purchase technology and train teachers. He worked to hire a number of great new teachers for the department and raised the Science Fair to a new standard. He retired from Coventry after working 36 years with 32 having been spent as a student council advisor.
Other highlights include being named a National Board-Certified Teacher in 1990 and being chosen to represent New England on the National Association of Student Councils Executive Board from 2004 -2007, serving as adult co-chair in 2007.
After retirement, he began working as a physics teacher and student council advisor at Woodstock, Academy in Woodstock, CT. He was also instrumental in founding the CHS Alumni Association which has given $130,000 in scholarships in 11 years and inducted 38 individuals and one group into the Hall of Fame.
