Cranston West senior wins 2025 Transform Rhode Island Scholarship

Cate Hanewich,
Cranston West senior Melissa Gonzalez Gutierrez's initiative was chosen among over 600 submissions, and focuses on the lack of access to books to low-income families. (courtesy: Donald Coyne)

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The Papitto Opportunity Connection announced that a Cranston High School West student won the 2025 Transform Rhode Island Scholarship.

Cranston West senior Melissa Gonzalez Gutierrez was awarded Wednesday night for her initiative which focuses on the lack of access to books to low-income families.

637 students across Rhode Island applied to the scholarship, which the POC said aims to improve the lives of those in need in Rhode Island.

Her winning idea, Little Libraries, will put books “directly in the hands of those who need it most” and promote literacy for children, according to the organization.

The POC said Gutierrez will have a seat on its board, which will invest $1,000,000 into her idea. Additionally, she received a $25,000 scholarship.

“By providing continuous access to books, we promote long-term literacy improvement, empowering children to become lifelong learners while making a tangible impact on their communities,” Gutierrez said.

An additional 9 students were chosen to have their initiatives sponsored, totaling another $75,000 in investments. The following students are listed below:

  • $15,000 scholarship: Haven Hoenick, La Salle Academy
    • Idea: Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Program for underserved communities
  • $15,000 scholarship: Jace Goldstein, Moses Brown
    • Idea: Intergenerational program that connects youth with seniors to combat loneliness
  • $10,000 scholarship: Rocco DeMartino, Cumberland High School
    • Idea: Address education and job skills training, as well as foster a healthier environment through the clean up of the Blackstone River
  • $10,000 scholarship: Safiyatu Gassama, Blackstone Valley Prep
    • Idea: SmileRI, an app that would allow for low-income families to set up free appointments with funded local dentists
  • $5,000 scholarship: Quadratullah Omari, The Met School
    • Idea: Turn laundromats into community learning hubs with free English language classes
  • $5,000 scholarship: Nachiket Patel, Barrington High School
    • Idea: Community-based approach to “alleviate systemic inequalities” through building bonds and brightening the prospects of those in need
  • $5,000 scholarship: Jessiret Pena-Gomez, Central High School
    • Idea: Build food pantries in schools
  • $5,000 scholarship: Kendra Ramirez, Central Falls High School
    • Idea: Mobile Student Support Lab which would gives students tools they need
  • $5,000 scholarship: Suhani Srivastava, North Kingstown High School
    • Idea: Write for the Stars program which offers writing workshops to students in underserved communities
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