The Aquidneck Grange No. 30, located on East Main Road in Middletown, recently announced the recipients of the annual "Community Citizens of the Year Awards" at a special ceremony held on the lawn in front of the hall with Town Council representatives.

Patch is spotlighting each recipent to get to know our outstanding citizens a little better.

Citizen of the Year Honor: 2011 Principal of the Year

Recipient: Vincent Giuliano, is retiring after a 41-year career in education, with 24 of those years of service at Gaudet Middle School.

Middletown Resident: 22 years

Accomplishments: Making Gaudet a high performing school (so much so that roughly 1,000 students flash-mob danced for him as a proper send-off).

What people are saying: “He has been an important part of Middletown’s schools for a long time. I wish him well in his retirement and he will be missed,” said Forest Avenue Principal and fellow Citizen of the Year award recipient Stephen C. Ponte.

Where he sees himself in five years: Enjoying life, enjoying his grandchildren and eventually staying involved in education.

Meet All the 2011 Citizens of the Year

• Firefighter Robert McCall.
• Teacher / Farmer Cam Ventura.
• Citizen of the Year Stephen Ponte.
• Retiring Principal Vincent Giuliano.
• Get highlights from the recent Citizens of the year awards ceremony here.