Studiosi della Fondazione V
A key objective of the LIL Foundation’s La Famiglia Scholarship Program is to support the next generation of Italian-American leaders as they continue to demonstrate the contributions still being made by individuals of Italian descent. This is the fifth in a series featuring past scholarship awardees fulfilling that objective.
“Dreams do come true!”
That was the message posted on Brianna Collacchi’s social media account on February 20, 2017, when she accepted a position as a Registered Nurse in the Labor and Delivery Unit at the St. Joseph Medical Center, part of the University of Maryland Medical System – the realization of a long-held dream! As a child, Brianna says that she and her mother would faithfully watch the TLC Cable Channel program, “Baby Story,” a show that chronicled exceptional cases of labor and delivery! Her reaction? “I wanted to help those moms and babies … and now I can”! So, a dream come true!
Brianna was a 2012 recipient of a Little Italy Lodge Scholarship as she prepared to enter the nursing program at Florida Southern University, with the Scholarship Program’s help and that of a partial Lacrosse Scholarship. As the demands of the Lacrosse program began to interfere with her nursing aspirations, however, she followed her heart and transferred to Salisbury University’s Nursing program where, in 2017, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing – another dream come true!
Brianna was sponsored by her Grandmother, Mary Jo Vandersmith, a long-time member and supporter of the Lodge and of the Scholarship Program!
More fulfilled dreams? Brianna married her fiancé of seven years, Tyler, in 2019 and became Brianna Collacchi Young – a dream fulfilled for them both! She and Tyler began building their family with the additions of James (J.J.) in 2020 and Theodore (Teddy) in late 2021!
Brianna thanks the Little Italy Lodge Scholarship Program and the Lodge members who support that Program for the financial support provided to her. In her words, “I am super grateful for the financial help that allowed me to focus on my studies and my early Lacrosse interests and not have to worry about some of the costs of college.”
Brianna and her family now live in Glen Arm, along with their miniature dachshund, Luci. In addition to her work with new-borns at the St. Joseph Medical Center, she devotes her time to her family and, when she can find the time, to all things Lacrosse- and Orioles-related!
The Little Italy Lodge Foundation is proud to have helped Brianna as she moved toward making her dreams a reality and we wish her and her family all the best as they continue realizing new dreams. And, in terms of the Foundation’s objective? Ancora una volta, missione compiuta!
– Tony Montcalmo