Papitto Opportunity Connection will invest $1 million in VieraSpears’ winning idea. In total $100,000 in scholarships given to 10 students from across Rhode Island

Rio VieraSpears, 2026 Transform RI Scholarship winner.

Providence, Rhode Island – For the fifth straight year, the Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is listening and investing in young people in Rhode Island.

Through the 2026 Transform Rhode Island Scholarship (TRIS), POC announced tonight it is investing $1 million in a Met School student’s inspiring idea aimed at improving the lives of those who need it most in the Ocean State.

The Met School sophomore stood out among 500 plus applicants as the winner of the 2026 Transform Scholarship. Rio’s winning idea addresses social isolation among seniors and the growing digital divide by connecting high school students with older adults. Rio’s big idea is to create a program that places high school students at senior centers and housing authorities to teach technology workshops and build intergenerational relationships. Youth will earn meaningful job experiences, strengthen communication and teaching skills, and gain a stronger sense of community. The elderly will gain confidence using technology, reduce loneliness, isolation, and get access to tools that improve their daily life.

“The biggest divide between generations today isn’t age, it’s understanding. Technology has widened that gap, but it can also be the tool that brings people back together. My idea transforms a stereotype ‘kids are always on their phones into a solution: young people using technology to teach, connect, and lead,” said Rio.

For his transformative idea, Rio will receive a $25,000 scholarship and will have a seat on the Board of thePapitto Opportunity Connection  as they invest $1 million to make his idea come to life.

Additionally, POC will invest $50,000 each in two other winners to help make their ideas come to fruition. Tristan Boyns from Bishop Hendricken High School and Evan Perez of The Met School have ideas that complement the idea put forward by VieraSpears.  All three are being connected by POC and will collaborate on their ideas together.

This year, 550 students representing 57 public, private, charter and parochial high schools from across Rhode Island responded, sharing personal essays, thoughtful research, dynamic videos and multimedia presentations showcasing how excited they are about creating real change in their communities.

Overall, POC awarded $100,000 to 10 high school students tonight through the Transform RI Scholarship. Since TRIS was established in 2022, POC has invested more than $5.8 million in this program. Overall, 46 students from RI’s public, private, and charter schools have received TRIS scholarships.

“When we started the Papitto Opportunity Connection, we often heard from young people. They wanted to share the ideas they thought would better Rhode Island, but no one would listen to them. That’s why we created the Transform RI Scholarship – to give young people a voice. We know teens have good ideas to create real change here in Rhode Island and we want them to know we’re listening,” said POC Founder Barbara Papitto. “The Transform Rhode Island Scholarships aren’t just changing students’ lives—they’re helping shape the future of our small, but mighty state. The thought, creativity and passion each student brought to the table this year was truly inspiring.”

All Top 10 TRIS student finalists received scholarships because of their transformative ideas. They include:

$15,000 Scholarship: Tristan Boyns, Bishop Hendricken

BIG IDEA: Tristan’s big idea is to build RhodeReach, an app that connects Rhode Islanders with the nonprofits they need. With just a few taps, users can donate or sign up to volunteer with verified local organizations, turning goodwill into action.

$15,000 Scholarship: Evan Perez, The Met School

BIG IDEA: Evan’s big idea is Mobile Foundry, a creative studio on wheels designed to bring professional tools, ethical AI, and mentorship to Rhode Island students who otherwise wouldn’t have access. Designed to empower, not replace, human creativity, the Mobile Foundry hosts structured sessions on school campuses by day and travels statewide after school to meet students where they live. Inside, students gain access to tools, knowledge, and space to create something real.

$10,000 Scholarship: Snighda Kethineni, Lincoln High School

BIG IDEA: Snigdha’s big idea is Cycle Sense, a program that will strive to create menstrual equality in Rhode Island so that every woman will have the products and necessary information to not only take care of themselves, but to thrive and achieve whatever they desire.

$10,000: Scholarship: Hope Carlson, St. Mary’s-Bay View Academy

BIG IDEA: Hope’s big idea is a pop-up program where teens upcycle secondhand clothes into something they’re proud to wear. Inspired by her own thrift store creation, Hope wants young people, especially those facing hardship, to experience the joy of making something with their hands, in community, and saying, “Thanks, I made it.”

$5,000 Scholarship: Abigale King, Cumberland High School

BIG IDEA: Abigale’s big idea is The Rhody Relief Van. It is a mobile wellness unit that will provide Rhode Islanders with immediate mental health support. Featuring free meditation sessions and therapeutic experiences, this project proactively reduces crises by bringing care, joy, and resources directly to local neighborhoods.

$5,000 Scholarship: Gabriela Neves, Cumberland High School

BIG IDEA: Gabriela’s big idea is to create a way for students who receive free or reduced lunches to have access to food during the summer months when school is not in session.

$5,000 Scholarship: Mateo Ullaguari, Blackstone Valley Prep

BIG IDEA: Mateo’s big idea is to improve mobility access and create meaningful, lasting change for Rhode Island’s disabled community through the stRIde initiative. stRIde is designed to expand accessibility, affordability, and sustainability in mobility support. This comprehensive approach integrates equipment access, transportation, repair services, and home modification support to empower individuals at every stage of their mobility journey.

$5,000 Scholarship:  Leydi Maritza Ramos Sam, Nowell Academy

BIG IDEA: Leydi’s big idea is to build clean, safe, and reliable restrooms in parks across Rhode Island, starting with high-need areas where the lack of facilities is most noticeable. Her proposal would make Rhode Island’s parks welcoming, dignified spaces for all.

$5,000 Scholarship: Ella Kauffman, East Greenwich High school

BIG IDEA: Ella’s big idea is a statewide music mentorship network that will remove financial and transportation barriers by providing free instruments and music lessons to underserved elementary and middle school students. By expanding access to music education across Rhode Island, this initiative would strengthen academic success, support mental health, and build confidence and community.

About the Papitto Opportunity Connection

The Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to listening and working together with Rhode Island’s communities in need to empower and create systemic change by investing in education, job skills training, health care, housing and entrepreneurship. Established in December 2020, POC has provided support to hundreds of non-profit organizations across the state and invested more than $130 million to support programs that provide crucial services to uplift Rhode Island’s communities in need. Learn more at POCFoundation.com.