The Verona Chapter of UNICO National, the Italian-American service organization, awarded $1,000 scholarships to six Verona residents at a dinner on Wednesday, June 2. The scholarships are based on academic and sports achievements, as well as community service.
Five of the six scholarship recipients are Verona High School seniors: Patrick Citrano, Anthony Giuliano, Ryan Ramsthaler, Mark Riggio and George Tamburino. The sixth, Christopher Festa, has just graduated from Seton Hall Prep.
“We are investing in our future,” said UNICO Treasurer John Alati in introducing the scholarship presentations.
Citrano, who will be majoring in chemistry and neuroscience at the University of Southern California, received the Salvatore Malanga Memorial Scholarship, established in the memory of the father of UNICO member Dr. Tom Malanga. Festa was awarded the Alati Family Scholarship, created by one of Verona UNICO’s founding members. Festa is a scholar-athlete who will play baseball for Johns Hopkins University in the fall.
Giuliano, the VHS class of 2016 valedictorian, received the Msgr. Capozzelli Scholarship, which honors UNICO’s chaplain emeritus. Giuliano will be attending Notre Dame University. Ryan Ramsthaler, who has been a standout on the VHS track and cross country teams, received UNICO’s Labor Day 5K Run Scholarship, named for the annual race that is a key funder of UNICO’s scholarship program. Ramsthaler will be attending Villanova University.
UNICO’s Brian Piccolo Athletic Award went to VHS wide receiver and wrestler Mark Riggio, who will continue to play football for Union College in upstate New York. Tamburino received the Nicholas J. Martini Scholarship, which honors a New Jersey lawyer and politician. Tamburino is headed to American University in Washington, D.C., with an eye on a diplomatic career.
Verona UNICO also installed its officers for 2016-2017 at the Wednesday dinner, which was held at Bella Gente. Nicolina Carpinelli will serve as president for a second term, Michael Ruglio will be vice president, John Alati is treasurer, Donna Kiel is secretary, Larry Colombo is sergeant-at-arms and Father Jerry Racioppi, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Verona, is chaplain.
Wednesday’s dinner also honored Michal Caggiano Sr., the owner of Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals and a founding member of UNICO. Caggiano passed away unexpectedly on May 27. UNICO meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at Bella Gente. For more information about joining UNICO or supporting its programs, see its website.
