Out & About: Italian American students receive lodge scholarships

Shirley McMarlin
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 10:19 a.m. | Tuesday, April 30, 2019 10:19 a.m.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Judy and Alex Gobbi of Connelllsville attended the Dante Alighieri Lodge #244 Italian Sons and Daughters of America’s 53rd Scholarship Awards Dinner, held April 28 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Dante Alighieri Lodge #244 Italian Sons and Daughters of America President Warren J. Ciabattoni of Greensburg; guest speaker, Dr. Alyssa Park of Lewistown; lodge reporter/publicity chair Judy Lesnick of Jeannette; and lodge vice president Nick Masciantonio of Jeannette at the lodge’s 53rd Scholarship Awards Dinner, held April 28 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfiel.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Gina M. Romano of Yough High School, recipient of the Dante Alighieri Heritage Scholarship, and Katherine Leonard of Greensburg-Salem High School, recipient of the Ralph Vincent Capone Memorial Scholarship, at the Dante Alighieri Lodge #244 Italian Sons and Daughters of America’s 53rd Scholarship Awards Dinner, held April 28 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield. Sofia Meffe of Father Ryan High School, recipient of the Karen Meffe Memorial Scholarship, was unable to attend.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Juliann K. Dawson of Belle Vernon High School, Lauryn R. Lubecki of Southmoreland High School and Dominic A. Urbani of Marion Center Area High School, recipients of the Dante Alighieri Heritage Scholarship; and Samuel Giordanelli of Hempfield Area High School, recipient of the John and Mary Biondi Francese Memorial Scholarship, at the Dante Alighieri Lodge #244 Italian Sons and Daughters of America’s 53rd Scholarship Awards Dinner, held at April 28 Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield.

The Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America was organized in 1930 by a small community of Italian immigrants in Pittsburgh.

Members became active in the politics and society of their adopted city and country, but still worked to preserve a cultural link with their Italian heritage.

Nowadays, the organization also encourages young Italian Americans through scholarships and other educational programs. The ISDA annually awards more than $150,000 in academic scholarships.

The local Dante Alighieri Lodge #244 Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America, chartered in 1966, awarded its annual scholarships to a group of high school students with Italian heritage, during its 53rd Scholarship Dinner on April 28 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield.

Warren Ciabattoni is lodge president.