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Kindergartner Jayden Angus aspires to be an astrophysicist when he grows up. The 5-year-old who attends St. Mary’s School in Fishkill said so after a recent scholarship awards ceremony that honored the Italian heritage of Catholic elementary and high school students of the archdiocese.
And although he admits his favorite activity at school thus far is recess, with math a close second, Jayden Angus was among the 250 youths from Catholic schools across the nine regions of the archdiocese who received a jumpstart on their future careers through a $1,000 Cardinal Egan Scholarship awarded by the Tri-State Italian American Congress Dec. 11.
Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus, and members of the Tri-State Italian-American Congress, served as presenters at the afternoon ceremony at the New York Catholic Center in Manhattan.
The scholarships are awarded to students of Italian descent who have been nominated by their principals on the basis of financial need and attendance in a Catholic school within the archdiocese.
The Tri-State Italian-American Congress funds the scholarship program, which has been available to students of the archdiocese for 12 years. The organization has awarded more than 2,500 students more than $3 million in scholarships.
Cardinal Egan, in remarks delivered in both English and Italian, acknowledged the significant financial contributions families make to send their children to Catholic schools. “This is a tough economic time,” he said. “To take from the family budget what’s required for tuition in our schools is a real sacrifice, and it’s done because you want to give the children the best in academic training and the best in spiritual formation.”
Dr. Timothy McNiff, archdiocesan superintendent of schools, thanked the students and their parents who accompanied them to the assembly.
He told the students he was proud of them, “who you are and what you represent,” by way of their families and schools. “I’ve said it many times—you’re the best ambassadors that we have for Catholic education.”
And he described their parents as “the unsung heroes” in Catholic education. “Your willingness to partner with us and give us the opportunity to be part of the life of your children” does not go unnoticed or unappreciated, he said.
Both the cardinal and Dr. McNiff expressed their gratitude to the Tri-State Italian-American Congress.
Ralph Contini, executive director and treasurer of Tri-State Italian- American Congress, said the awards ceremony “is truly the highlight” of the organization’s year. “We work all year long to make sure that we have the funds necessary in order to make this possible. It is indeed an honor and a privilege.”
Also on the dais were the deputy consul of Italy in New York, Dino Sorrentino, and many board members of the Tri-State Italian-American Congress.
Giovanni Pennisi, a senior at Mount St. Michael Academy in the Bronx, is grateful for his scholarship. He plans to pursue studies in law at college next year. “I’m very proud to be Italian. Growing up in an Italian family, it’s great,” Giovanni said.
His mother Emilia said hearing her son’s named announced as a scholarship recipient was a proud moment. “I’m really happy for him. I’m glad that he’s given this chance” to help achieve his goals.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
MANHATTAN
Cathedral High School: Donna Jacobelli
Immaculate Conception School: Isabella Flynn
Notre Dame High School: Julia Passarelli
Notre Dame High School: Gianna Rago
St. Vincent Ferrer High School: Christina Berger; Carmela Gulino; Laura Giordano; Caitlin Azzopardi
BRONX
Our Lady of the Assumption School: Maria and Annalisa Anzelino; Ashley Stor ; Anthony Gianmario; Loriana Genovese; Vincent and Anthony Orrico; Juliet Robustello; Louis Cardillo; Matthew Anazagasti; Jason Lauriola
Villa Maria Academy: Matthew Freni III; Victoria Marchese; Loredana Quintieri; Alyssa Martinez; Sarah Fulgencio; Nickolis Djonovic
St. Barnabas School: Matthew Barris
St. Benedict School: Gina and Frankie Tienken; Bianca Pecora; David and Ava Fraguada; Brendon Henrys; Daniella DeAngelis; Lianie and Joshua Ochoa; Jack and Dylan Castori; Michael and Mariah Maldonado; Rachael and Rebecca Menna
St. Clare of Assisi: Dylan Iovenitti; Leanna Guarino
St. Frances de Chantal: Lillian Tibbatts; Jennifer Lynn Colon; Joseph Pesce; Gabriella and Nicholas Corvino; Aiden Van Bomel
St. Francis Xavier: Gianna Angell; Gianna Dallacasa; Silvio Palumbo
St. Helena: Geena Torres; Giovanni Chiodi
St. Lucy: Anthony Iglesia; Luis Guerrero
St. Simon Stock: Heaven, Emilio and Juliece Watts
St. Theresa School: Isabella Schibeci; Jake and Olivia Maskara; Matthew DeFilippi; JoMarie Benedetto; AnnaMaria and Alessia Petrosino; Joy Del Gigante; Alexia Troiano; Francesca and Daniela Muccio; Alex and Emma DeFilippo; Joseph Cala; Christie Rose Proscia-Mazzilli; Olivia Llanos; Paolo Bueti; Francesca and Damien Hegarty; Antonella Salvatico; Nicholas Soli; Julie Fumai; Danny Coscia; Grace and Giorgio Giacinto
Cardinal Spellman High School: Rachel Stemberga; Brittany Bucceri; Laurin Donnelly
St. Catharine Academy: Danielle Santonastasio; Samantha DeMicco
Fordham Preparatory School: Marc Landino; Nicholas Febbo
Msgr. Scanlan High School: Anthony and Daniel Scochemaro; Matthew Iannacone; Jack Ruzzo;
Mount St. Michael Academy: Peter Cherico; Giovanni Pennisi
Preston High School: Nicoletta Scorcia; Kayla Sorichetti; Victoria DePew; Adrianna Aceto; Katelyn Schillaci
St. Raymond High School for Boys: John Pinto; Anthony Rauso
St. Raymond Academy for Girls: Alyssa Perez; Angelina Ubertini; Hope Tritto; Giana Provenzano; Alexis Connors; Isabella Rulli
STATEN ISLAND
St. Ann School: Danielle and Isabelle Pareate; Jacklyn, Jayla, Jenna and Julia Cuomo; Paul and Vincent Vittorioso
St. Ann School: Dominic LaFragola
St. Charles School: Noelle Salvatore; Sabrina Banchetto; Julia Michelotti; Anthony and John Cretella; Joseph D’Ambrosio; Kaitlyn Lopiano; Drea, Jayla and Jordonna Miglino; Joseph and Gianna LaFace; Hailey Dejose; Joseph, Antonio, Julianna and Kristina DiBlasi
St. Clare School: James Santore; Jaime Ventura; Roman Vitolo; Anthony and Paul Picarello; Matteo Ricciardo; Savannah Yusko; Sage Talamanco; Deanna Crocco; Benedetto, Francesca and Salvatore Parrelli; Ashley and Justin Gambardello
Holy Rosary School: Alexa Gannon; Phillip Manitta; Victoria Farina; Destiny Vitale; Christena Armento; Louis Cuomo
St. John Villa Academy Elementary: Benedetto Togati;
Gianna Mariano; Dean Masi; Mackenzie Moffett
St. Joseph-St. Thomas School: Tara Casale; Georgina Santacroce
Our Lady Help of Christians School: Kimberly Smith; Christopher Gomez; Frank and Guilia Sarcona; James McCarthy; Ashley and Samantha Fresca
Our Lady Queen of Peace: Lana and Annabella Devivo; Elaina Mule; Lorenzo DiMaio; Anthony Terrana
Our Lady Star of the Sea: Daniel Esposito; Christian Perrotta; Francesca and Bianca Pallotta; Alana and Paige DeStelarro; Frank and Nicholas Caprioni; Gianna Marie Leone; Angela Bonura
St. Patrick: Andrew Giordano; Samantha Menzel; Emily Yurkins; Samantha and Nicholas Russo
St. Teresa: Michael Lagella; Madison Mancevski; Alessandro Spina; Christian Figueroa; James and Joseph Fevelo; Nicholas Ochmann
St. John Villa Academy High School: Noelle Cianciotta; Jessica Esposito
St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School: Nicholas and Thomas Casuccio; Brianna McCue; Cassandra Ianelli; Joseph Polizio; Nicole Pietrunti
Moore Catholic High School: Daniel Castellano; Christopher Puccio
Msgr. Farrell High School: Justin Gulino; Jake Cuomo; Daniel Bilotto; Michael Crescente
COUNTIES
Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia: Alexis Crittenden; Matthew Tavolacci; Sophia Tarasco
St. Patrick School, Bedford: Christina and Michelle Feda
St. James the Apostle School, Carmel: Philip Marlow; Daniella DiBenedetto; Anthony, Elena, and Alexandra Bucello; Erica Caruso; Alex and Olivia Brendler; Shawn Keogh; Michael Mandara; Haylee Cafarelli;
St. Columbanus School, Cortlandt Manor: Stori Gallicchio; Sabrina Rocco
St. Mary School, Fishkill: Devin Webb; Brandon Jorgensen; Ethan Stricklane; Jayden Angus; Francesco and Isabella Santoiemma
John S. Burke Catholic High School, Goshen: Gabriella Nemeth
Sacred Heart, Hartsdale: Arianna Gulli
John A. Coleman High School, Hurley: Joshua Rua
Regina Coeli School, Hyde Park: Victoria Sela-Olivari;
Justine Kennedy; Julianna Ascolese; Peter Sears; Camille Foerst; Paul Joseph Pampinella
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Middletown: Nicholas Guglielmo
Our Lady of Victory School, Mount Vernon:Emily Garcia
Holy Name of Jesus School, New Rochelle: Christopher Fighera; Morgan Avelli; Samantha and Jake Coppinger; Angelo and Mia Acocela
Sacred Heart, Newburgh: Katie Gida; Julianna Olympia; Isabella Minura; Isabella Jabboor; Trevi Romanelli
St. Augustine, Ossining: Anna and Emilia Cascapera
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Pelham Manor: Jack and Lauren Leone; Leonardo Varelli; Gabriella and Michaela Nanna
Holy Trinity School, Poughkeepsie:Stephanie Garcia; Natalee Picani; Keilee Salvatore; Angelo and Luca Colacicco; Thomas Horan; Gianni Negri; Anisa and Angelo Hernandez; Sophia Hosien; Gloria and Rachel Perri; Brianna Crawley; Gabriella Vitolo; Serenc, Mateo, and Emma Bunga
St. Martin de Porres School, Poughkeepsie: Alexandra Carbone; Josephine Melish; Ella DiScala
St. Peter School, Poughkeepsie: Alexis Roe; Renee Rugar; Sani Balika; Jordyn Strom; Nicholas Stas; Breanne and Brooke Fulling; Joseph Heimcke
Sacred Heart, Suffern: Stefanina and Gianna Alfieri;
Evin Pisano; Vincent DeMaio; Ashley, Alex and Alyssa Rizzo
St. Paul, Valley Cottage: Kylie Gleason; Elisabetta Bono; Brandon Jemison; Nicole Cataldo
Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains: Anthony Marricco
St. John the Baptist School, Yonkers: Brianna Geraci; Victoria Cotza; Antonio Osso; Nicholas and Anthony DeMatteo
Sacred Heart High School, Yonkers: Vito DiMaio; Nicole Arcieri; Eric Acevedo; Madison and Kelly Carlo
St. Patrick School, Yorktown Heights: Alex Bravo; Caroline and Grace Dempsey
