AP Language and Composition (commonly called AP Lang) is a challenging advanced placement class in which students learn how to strengthen their writing abilities, as well as their skills with reading and speaking. In this class, students analyze important historical works and speeches made by prominent figures of history, from Helen Keller and Frederick Douglass to Robert F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Students who take this course end the year with dramatically improved knowledge of English language arts. Since September, students have been reading several historical speeches and studying the ways speakers incorporate literary devices and rhetorical appeals to strengthen their arguments. This October, students were given a project to produce a memorial speech inspired by the speeches they listened to in class. This assignment closely aligns with the AP Lang curriculum, as it enables students to use the devices they analyzed in famous speeches for their own remembrance speeches. For this interactive group assignment in their AP Lang class, four Dighton-Rehoboth juniors—Elliot Boudreau, Cameron Johnson, Dylan Howland, and Samuel Pickford—wrote a fictional eulogy honoring the memory of the late Frank Caprio, head of Providence’s Municipal Court.
Elliot, Cameron, Dylan, and Sam decided to memorialize Frank Caprio because they believed he set a great example for all people. He acted out of kindness to understand what people were going through and always lightened moods with humor and compassion. Caprio was an inspiration and role model to all people and had a notable impact on the group, who were four of his millions of followers on social media. Caprio’s reputation had earned him the title of “the Nicest Judge in the World,” and even after death, he makes a positive impact in Providence, where he was located, and beyond. The students’ eulogy is from the perspective of Joyce Caprio, his wife of over 60 years.
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“Good afternoon to the loving friends, family, and acquaintances of my late husband, Frank Caprio.
I’d first like to thank all of you who decided to attend today, sharing this moment of remembrance and mourning. Frank, my husband of 62 years, unfortunately passed this week after a long battle of pancreatic cancer. Although the grief is overwhelming, I would like to focus on the great things my husband did. I always knew Frank as somebody who was caring, loving, thoughtful, understanding. But most importantly, he was an inspiration. To his family, his friends, and his fans, Frank was a role model. His fans knew him as “America’s Nicest Judge,” but to me, he was an incredible husband and the love of my life.
At work, Frank, a judge of 38 years, was always able to understand what drove people to their actions before coming to a verdict. He was always willing to give people a second chance, and encouraged them to improve their character. He wished people would improve not only for themselves, but for their children.
His reach is proven by the millions of loyal followers and billions of interested viewers who regularly watched his adored show. Frank’s teachings changed the course of many lives, and helped improve Providence as a whole.
He understood the importance of delaying one’s anger, and being quick to try to understand the reasons behind their actions. He lived by the biblical quote found in James 1:19-20, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Frank was always incredibly determined, and willing to put in the necessary work without expecting any recognition. He put as much effort and understanding into every decision and job that he had for the betterment of those around him, not for any personal gain or possibility of praise. When he was younger, Frank helped his father with his family’s milk business, waking up at four o’clock to help with deliveries. Furthermore, he worked as a shoe-shiner during college in hopes of earning money that he could use to help his family. These selfless jobs revealed his intense loyalty to his family, and how he put others before himself. That virtue extended to his professional career, as he was willing to do the hard work even though the desired outcome could not be promised. That trait was highly valuable to a successful marriage and life. He lived to benefit others, not to benefit himself. Looking back, I realize all the great things he did that went unnoticed, and he never held it against me. In the worst of times, he stayed grounded and even as his battle came to its conclusion, he never pitied himself and instead focused on the positives of his life. Instead of focusing on his impending passing he focused on the great life he was able to live and the incredible eighty-eight years he received.
His life was a testament to how selflessness and a genuine love for others can better the individual lives and society that someone is placed in. In honor of Frank, live your life with a care for others that goes beyond what you can gain from them. Care for all people as if they were your own brethren, and do your best to understand the circumstances that led individuals to the decisions they have made. At the end of your life, would you rather be known as someone who refused to forgive and was self-centered, or as someone who showed everyone the love due to all members of the human race?
Thank you all for attending today, and keep us in your thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.”
