Junior Grace D’Antuono enjoys baking, throwing, speaking, writing, and standing up for what she believes in.  Most importantly she loves giving back.  Now, these actions don’t sound like they should be grouped together, yet that is how D’Antuono has spent her third year at NKHS.  She throws hammer and javelin for the NKHS indoor and outdoor track teams, bakes for her own non-profit, and speaks out against Common Core, NECAP, and PARCC on a national level.

    D’Antuono started work on her democracy project first semester and from there it took off.  Her motivation has taken her past democracy night and to two school committee meetings and one meeting at the statehouse.  “I really wanted to keep with it because I truly believe this is not the way we should be educated,” said D’Antuono about Common Core, NECAP, and PARCC testing.

          D’Anutono has created a binder of student fingerprints to show how individualized everyone is and how different their futures are, therefore how students should not be taught and graded with Common Core.

        Her first task that received recognition was writing a letter to the North-East Independent.  It was published, titled “There’s a Monster Invading our Schools.”  Afterwards, at the first school committee meeting she spoke at, she was approached by a URI English professor who said she was using her article in her class.  “That was kind of crazy,” said D’Antuono.

    D’Antuono continued her fight for fairness by writing an optional editorial (which was published under commentary) to the Providence Journal.  The article was titled “Common Core, I’ve had enough of you.”  Her determination hasn’t stopped yet.  Currently, D’Antuono is reaching out to states like Minnesota, Alaska, Nebraska, Montana, and Texas because they do not have PARCC (Partnership, Assessment Readiness for College and Career) testing, Common Core, or NECAP.  These responses will give her more information and different perspectives that she can use for her benefit in future letters or speeches.

        “I’ve been baking for a while and I got really interested freshman year,” said D’Antuono.  This passion has started a non-profit owned and operated by D’Antuono called Cupcakes Against Cancer where all cupcakes are baked by D’Antuono from scratch.  This started when she wanted to help people with cancer so all her profits go directly to the American Cancer Society.  “The motto for American Cancer Society is ‘Celebrate more birthdays’ and I knew it was perfect because that’s the same reason I started baking,” said D’Antuono.

      D’Antuono has worked to get a food safety certification, found a free commercial bakery at Great Harvest Bread Company to use ovens, and created business cards and a twelve flavor list of cupcakes.  D’Antuono’s success selling cupcakes at indoor and outdoor farmer’s markets, private parties, bridal showers, birthday parties, and the homecoming football game has received enough attention that she will be featured in the March issue of Rhode Island Local magazine.  Currently her business relies on word of mouth to get new clients.

     To find more information about Cupcakes Against Cancer like the Facebook page.  To order cupcakes call (401) 752-9177 or email grace_d’[email protected].

     The current wave has sampled Oreo, chocolate chip cookie and chocolate peanut butter. They were delicious.