The high school music department hosted “Crazy Hat Day” on Friday, January 17.

The event was organized by the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society with help from the entire department. The fun day is held annually to celebrate the memory of Rachel E. Carson and raise funds for the scholarships awarded in her name.

Rachel was a senior at Johnston Senior High School when she unexpectedly passed away on January 14, 2018.

She was a proud member of the marching and concert bands, the a capella group, the Chemistry Club, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Rachel also had a great sense of humor and both wrote and acted in the JHS “Friday Night Live” shows. She loved the arts and sciences and was going to attend the University of Maine where she planned to study Wildlife Ecology.

She also enjoyed costumes and exotic hats.

Music students gathered donations in the days leading up to Friday’s event and all of JHS was strongly encouraged to wear their coolest headwear. Prizes were given to Tzivya Reyes for having the prettiest hat, to Timothy Liang for his retro “Devo” cap, to Kyle Boswell for his steam-punk creation, and to Elliott Scattone for his cephalopod celebration.

Student spirit was great and for the first time in the history of this “dress-up” day, the kids edged out the faculty and staff in the “giving” battle. Nearly $600 was collected at the school before a surprise donation was received.

Paul and Erin Troxell, owners of Snookers on Ashburton Street in Providence, delivered a check for $250. Mr. Troxell said, “Our son Jackson graduated in 2023 and he very much enjoyed his time in the chorus.”

Jackson was a recipient of a Carson endowment upon graduation. The Troxell’s currently have children in the high school band and the middle school chorus. They added, “We would like to make sure that students continue to receive this scholarship in Rachel’s memory.”

The Johnston School Music Association (JSMA) members have been the wardens of the memoriams since their inception in the spring of 2019. The group will award two $500 scholarships this spring. The applications are open to all JHS students that will continue their education after graduation. Donations are always welcome. Please reach out to Ronald Lamoureux at rlamoureux@johnstonschools.org.