2018-19 Showcase Cinemas Student Athlete of the Year
Maile Somera of Barrington High School and Michael Duffy of North Smithfield High School have been named the Showcase Cinemas RIIL Student Athletes of the Year.

Recently honored as co-winner of the 2018 Words Unlimited Rhode Island Schoolgirl Athlete of the Year and Gatorade R.I. Girls Volleyball Player of the Year for the third time, Maile Somera concluded her high school career at Barrington High School with 1,387 kills and 832 digs, guiding the Eagles to the Division I-A regular-season title and a runner-up finish to North Kingstown in the Division I Championship. As the sole captain and one of only two seniors, the 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter took her leadership skills to a new level, said head coach Ron Enos, who noted that “it’s truly like having an assistant coach on the floor.” All the while Maile displayed the utmost respect and sportsmanship to her coaches, teammates, opponents, referees, and fans alike. Also an exceptional student with a 4.18 GPA, she will continue her academic and athletic career at Yale University in the fall.

As Michael Duffy’s tennis coach at North Smithfield High School for the last two seasons, Courtney Smith says “I have seen many student athletes, I have seen nationally ranked tennis players, and worked with professional ones as well. Never in my life have I been more in awe or proud of one of my players. Michael is a very special young man who I know will continue to be the respectful, diligent, and compassionate man after he graduates.” Also a member of the soccer team, Vice President of the National Honor Society and a member of the French Club and Men’s Choir, Michael was accepted Early Decision to Seton Hall University’s five-year Masters program in Diplomacy. He has been involved with a number of charitable efforts supporting The Mayan Families Organization in Guatemala, donating half his earnings from part-time jobs to support the 2010 earthquake relief effort in Haiti and in 2014 persuading his family to sponsor a child from Haiti, which is his mother’s home country.

2019 RIIL Awards Luncheon - Click the link for a list of honorees