From The Desk of the President of The Little Italy Scholarship Foundation

Tasting Tour of Italy: A shout out to the Foundation’s Tasting Tour of Italy Team that hosted a fun and innovative celebration on Sunday April 24 held in St. Leo’s School Hall. Tim Elliott led the fundraising effort with a superb Committee including Maureen Chandler, Nancy Barbieri Wolfe, Sue Corasaniti, Armand Esposito and Paul Rao.  Some Foundation Fun Facts:

• Net proceeds from Tasting Tour of Italy was $14K vs a budget of $10K
• 180 guests and 20 volunteers
• 7 Sponsors and a number of donors contributing over $5K
• 50/50 $1100 realized by the winner who generously returned $250 to the Foundation.
• $500 donated to St Leo’s in honor of its 140th anniversary
• Unveiled the donor banner that recognized 200 donors amounting to an amazing $313K
• 4 course meal featuring 4 regions of Italy over a wonderful 4 hours in lovely Little Italy.

2022 Scholarship Evaluation Committee:

Our Scholarship Foundation is proud to announce that on May 1, 2022 we received eleven applications and will award in early July a record seven scholarships totaling $36,500.  We will award 3 named scholarships for $6,000 each, 3 scholarships for $5,000 each and finally the Anthony “Tony” Verdecchia Scholarship of $3500.  A record 7 scholarships totaling $36,500!

Let me recognize the dedicated and brilliant Scholarship Evaluation Team:
Chair: Chris Pisano
Committee Members: Laura Felter, Maria Fratangelo, Adreiene Marra, & Angie Patti.
This incredible team had a very tight timeline in May to review the eleven 500 word essays, reach consensus on each applicant and rank order the top seven Scholars!  Mille Grazie.

Another Named Memorial Scholarship:  It is a sincere honor to announce that the family of Anthony “Tony” Verdecchia has communicated to our Foundation that the family sincerely appreciates the $3500 donated as a named scholarship in this academic year in “Tony’s” name. As a result of this groundswell of support and appreciation for our longtime volunteer and Board Member to our amazing Foundation, the Verdecchia family has generously volunteered to match the earlier memorial dollars donated and as a result will fund a named $3500 scholarship in the next academic year! Mille Mille Grazie to Famiglia Verdecchia!

Paul R. Rao PhD
Foundation President