On May 28, 2025, Paul Cuffee Upper School welcomed Earl’s family, friends, and colleagues to honor his legacy by celebrating the third recipient of the Earl N. Smith III Memorial Scholarship. This year saw a record number of applicants — 14 outstanding students — each of whom met the scholarship’s criteria, reflecting the spirit, character, and values that Earl embodied. Last year’s recipient, Precious Buwee ’24, had the honor of presenting this year’s award to Paul Cuffee School senior Deily Casimiro Pena.
Deily exemplifies the values at the heart of this scholarship through her unwavering resilience, leadership, and commitment to community. Despite facing significant personal challenges, she has shown remarkable strength and perseverance. She has made a meaningful impact through her role on the Principal’s Cabinet and involvement in school and community programs. Deily’s dedication, advocacy, and embodiment of the school’s core values make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Thank you for making this scholarship possible through your generous donations, which have helped raise over $30,000 for the Earl N. Smith III Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. The school continues to seek recurring donations and multi-year commitments to ensure this scholarship can be awarded in Earl’s memory every year. To continue Earl’s legacy, click here.
You can also support the fund by purchasing ENSIII t-shirts and hoodies through the school’s online store. All proceeds benefit the Earl N. Smith III Memorial Scholarship Fund and support future graduating seniors at Paul Cuffee School.