Sixteen high school juniors from public schools in New York, Los Angeles and Detroit are heading to Florence, Italy, for a fully funded, monthlong immersion in Renaissance art, history and culture — an experience that organizers describe as a potentially life-changing opportunity. The students, along with four teacher-chaperones, are this year’s re...

The Italian American Cultural Organization of the South Shore has announced the winners of the 2025 IACO “Spirit of Italian Culture” Scholarship. According to a community announcement, six students have each received a $3,000 scholarship after a competitive selection process. The recipients are: - Natalie J. Pechilis from Whitman-Hanson Regional Hi...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today presented the Assemblyman James D. Conte Memorial Academic Scholarship to Marco Valle, a senior at New Hyde Park Memorial High School and the school’s Class of 2025 valedictorian. The scholarship, awarded by the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators, recognizes outstanding academic ach...

The Amerigo Vespucci Society (AVS) of Long Branch (NJ), the nation’s oldest Italian-American mutual aid society, awarded four academic scholarships during its most recent meeting, continuing its longstanding mission of supporting education and community engagement. The scholarships, to be applied toward the recipients’ upcoming Fall semester studie...

Dr. Joanne D’Angelo and Marie A. Vitarelli of UNICO Waterbury presented a $500 check to the Middlebury Historical Society in support of the Rochambeau Monument Project last week. Dr. D’Angelo serves as Local Charity Chair, and Ms. Vitarelli is a member of UNICO’s Board of Directors. Dr. Robert L. Rafford, president of the Middlebury Historical Soci...

The Hazleton Chapter of UNICO granted annual scholarships to four successful applicants. Hazleton UNICO grants these scholarships each year to help area graduates pursue their higher education goals. Each successful applicant was awarded $1,500 to be used for their tuition or other associated school costs. One technical school scholarship was award...

On June 11, 2025, the Orange/West Orange Chapter (O/WO) of UNICO National held its annual scholarship dinner at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover, NJ.  Chapter President and Scholarship Chair Frank V. Gonnella presided over the evening.   The Chapter awards scholarships to students from West Orange High School (WOHS) and Seton Hall Prep.  Scholarsh...

The Rehoboth Area Chapter of UNICO recently held its 13th annual Brian Piccolo Scholarship program at St. Edmond Parish Hall. Each year a scholar-athlete of Italian heritage, who exemplifies courage, friendship, loyalty, teamwork, dedication, sense of humor and anti-bias, as modeled in the life and career of Brian Piccolo, is chosen for this honor....

On Tuesday, June 10, David Brearley Middle School hosted its annual awards ceremony to celebrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service.  The event was led by Principal John Perillo of David Brearley Middle High School and middle school guidance counselor Mrs. Megan Harrison, whose tireless dedication to the students is a shining ex...

What a community we have here. That was one of the points Elizabeth Riter, chosen by the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation as its Outstanding Italian American for 2025, made when she stepped up to the podium to accept the honor. “I want to thank Paolo Busti for a 40-plus year tradition in this community. That’s really incredible,” Riter said. “The Ba...