(Providence)  High school students, community leaders and public officials will gather on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. to officially dedicate the William B. Cooley, Sr. High School on Thurbers Avenue in Providence. City Council Majority Leader, who represents the neighborhood the school is located in, will be joined by Council President Pro Tempore Balbina A.Young and Cooley High School Principal Scott Sutherland in presiding over the dedication.

The new school, which opened is 2002, is currently called the Health & Science Technology High School and hosts over 350 Providence students. It is part of the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, which also includes the Providence Academy of International Studies (PAIS school).

The school is being named for William B. Cooley, Sr. a South Providence community leader who died in 1991. Mr. Cooley was a well-known advocate for youth and education, as well as for the community at-large. He was president of the Roger Williams Tenant Association, and helped found the Roger Williams Day Care Center. “We are pleased to honor the life of a great contributor to our urban neighborhoods by naming the Health & Science Technology School for William Cooley,” noted Councilman Aponte. “This dedication will also help remind young people of the value and significance of community service.”

The ceremony will include speakers Aponte and Young, as well as Mayor David N. Cicilline, Council President John J. Lombardi, Superintendent of Schools Melody Johnson, and family and friends of Mr. Cooley.

The school is located at 182 Thurbers Avenue. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 10 a.m.