Papitto Opportunity Connection Invests $1 Million in Wheeler Freshman’s Idea to Better BIPOC Communities

The 2023 Transform Rhode Island Scholarship has been awarded to fourteen-year-old The Wheeler School freshman Siya Singhal for her commitment to improving the lives of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in Rhode Island. The award includes a $25,000 scholarship and a seat at the Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC), a non-profit foundation determined to empower Rhode Island’s BIPOC communities. The organization will be investing $1 million into aiding Singhal’s goal of instilling pride in Rhode Island’s BIPOC citizens.

Singhal presented her winning idea alongside 200 other high school applicants from across Rhode Island, all focused on answering the Papitto Opportunity Connection’s most important question: “If you had $1 million how would you change Rhode Island’s communities of color?” 

In her idea, Singhal proposed providing youth access to non-profit cultural organizations through interactive seminars. Aimed to encourage confidence in children, these seminars will offer stories from unique cultures to students and youth in hopes of spreading awareness about cultural differences and the pride there is to be had in being unique. 

“I remember how it was to come into school and not feel normal because I was surrounded by people who didn’t look like me,” Singhal says. Her idea is designed to absolve similar cultural insecurities in children across the state. 

Papitto Opportunity Connection founder Barbara Papitto (L), Siya Singhal and POC Managing Trustee John Tarantino (R).

Alongside Singhal, nine other students will receive scholarships in light of their inspired ideas. They too hope to see change in local BIPOC communities and a sense of pride rooted in diversity. 

Nicolas Upegui, a senior at North Providence High will receive a $15,000 scholarship for his idea to provide students with BIPOC mentors. The program would help students gain essential leadership skills and build confidence. 

Eliza Vest, a freshman at Moses Brown, will also receive $15,000. Vest presented the idea to partner with local businesses and create internship opportunities for BIPOC teens in Rhode Island. 

Jayden Chagnon, a junior at The Met School, will receive $10,000 for his idea to provide creative opportunities to artists of color. 

Zachary Pinto, a Charles E. Shea High School junior, will also receive $10,000 for his idea to create street medicine teams to assist Rhode Island’s homeless and those facing other medical challenges. 

Front row left: RI Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green; POC Managing Trustee, John Tarantino; POC Founder Barbara Papitto (center); Dr Sendurai Mani; and professor Reginald Lewis joined by the 2023 TRIS finalists.

The following students will also receive $5,000 for their ideas:

• Darius Ajakaiye of Moses Brown for an immersive gaming experience built around life lessons, learning, career awareness and workforce development.
• Keyla Citron of Classical High School for transforming unused areas into temporary living spaces for the homeless. A senior, Citron will attend Johnson & Wales University in the fall.
• Adriyonna Lockhart of Rogers High School to create a family support center for BIPOC families and single parents struggling with food insecurity, housing, and the increasingly high cost of childcare.
• Donovan Turner of Classical High School to create a program that offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and provides its students with childcare services and transportation.
• Krystallyah Ratsabout of Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School for a multi-faceted leadership program that would educate students about their culture’s history and, in turn, empower them to help others embrace their identity. A senior, she will attend Rhode Island College in the fall.
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