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Rhonda Beth Goldstein was only 19 years old when she passed away suddenly after a brief illness, but her creative spirit continues to inspire and support young artists nearly four decades later. A 1982 graduate of Cranston High School East, Rhonda was a painter, poet, dancer, and singer who performed in school dramas and musicals, sang in the a cappella choir, and served as an arts and crafts counselor at Camp Jori. She earned Scholastic Arts Gold Key recognition and was a trustee scholar at New York University.

"She was the most talented one in our family," recalls her brother Neal, one of Rhonda’s five siblings. "She was a gifted artist, with deep feelings about so much. She had very strong convictions. Her loss devastated all of us."

Following Rhonda's passing, the Goldstein family established a scholarship in her memory at Cranston High School East to support graduating seniors pursuing accredited post-secondary education in the fine and creative arts. What began in 1986 as a single $200 award has grown over more than thirty years into multiple $500 scholarships, honoring Rhonda’s love of the arts and wide-ranging talents.  

Now, with the family spread across the country—from Oregon to Connecticut to California—the Goldsteins, together with the Cranston School Department, have partnered with the Rhode Island Foundation to ensure Rhonda's legacy continues in perpetuity.

"We first heard about the Foundation from Kevin Murtough at the Cranston School Department," explains Rhonda’s brother, Stu. "We basically had the money in lower interest bank accounts, and now it will be professionally looked after."

“The Goldstein family's dedication to honoring Rhonda's memory has been an inspiration to our entire school community for nearly four decades,” shares Kevin. “The Cranston School Department has been proud to steward this scholarship and support the talented young artists at Cranston High School East who carry on her creative legacy. Partnering with the Rhode Island Foundation was a natural next step. It ensures that Rhonda's name and her family's generosity will continue to lift aspiring artists in our community for as long as there are students with a passion for the arts.”

For the Goldstein family, the partnership has freed them to focus on sharing more about Rhonda’s life and artistic talents. Working with the Foundation has given the entire family an opportunity to become involved in new ways, like assembling and photographing her artwork to create an exhibit for the annual scholarship awards ceremony at Cranston High School East.

"Without the Rhode Island Foundation, I don't think we would have been motivated to do this," Stu reflects. "Our family does not have to worry about the administration of the scholarship, and we can now be involved at a higher level."

"One thing I've learned over the last several decades is that artists don't get a lot of kudos," Stu adds. "What's unique about this scholarship is that it gives young artists a chance to take pride in and pursue their creative work. As we all face our mortality, we want to make sure this continues in Rhonda’s name. The Rhode Island Foundation is a way to do that.”