Once again, the Verona Chapter of UNICO National, the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States, is offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors. There is one application for several scholarships, most of which require Italian heritage, but not all do. One scholarship is specially for students entering a trade school, which could be for electrical, plumbing, cosmetology, culinary, and the like.
Students must be residents of Verona or attending high school in Verona, or the children or grandchildren of a UNICO Verona member. Honorees will be awarded $1,000, which will be distributed in June. The application can be found here, and the deadline for submission is Wednesday, April 24.
The scholarships being awarded are:
- Alati Family Scholarship
- Monsignor Capozzelli Scholarship
- Nicholas J. Martini Scholarship
- Labor Day 5-K Classic Scholarship
- Brian Piccolo Athletic Scholarship
- Andy Durborow Memorial Vocational Scholarship
Verona High School seniors should submit their completed application to Selene Rivera in the Counseling Department. Seniors from any other high school (who are Verona residents) should submit their paperwork directly to [email protected].
This year’s scholarship committee members include Pam Riley Blake, Toni Caggiano, Vincenzo Cappello, Peter Dipetta, Nancy Magrans, Kathy Mortara and Father Jerry Racioppi. (Last year’s committee and scholarship recipients are pictured above.)
Also, on Sunday, May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. the Chapter will host its annual Sunday Gravy Dinner at Church of the Holy Spirit, 36 Gould Street, in the basement – because that’s where Italian-Americans often eat the family meal. This event was postponed from February due to water issues in the Church’s lower-level kitchen, but Father Jerry feels the place will be “back in action” by May 19. The cost is $45 per person which includes antipasto, pasta, meatballs, sausage plus (mostly homemade) dessert. You can reserve a space by emailing [email protected] or sending a check to UNICO Verona, P.O. Box 104, Verona, NJ 07044. It’s a great event that you (and your stomach) will remember for a long time.
UNICO Verona has been supporting the community for the past 54 years by continuing the mission of “Service Above Self.” UNICO National has chapters all across the United States raising money for great causes and helping keep the history of Italian-Americans alive.
