The Sons of Italy-Columbus Lodge Scholarship Award Committee is now accepting applications from graduating high school seniors from Bethpage, Farmingdale, Massapequa, and Plainedge High School who are enrolled in a full-time college program in the fall. Candidates, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, should contact their guidance councilors for an application. Application deadline is May 1.
Each year, students are selected for a scholarship from each of the above-mentioned high schools. Selected students and their families are invited to a formal awards ceremony and receive citations from local dignitaries. Keith Wilson, who is chairman of this year’s scholarship awards, announced this year’s event will be on Sunday, June 13 at the Columbus Lodge building located at 2143 Boundary Avenue and Columbus Lodge Way.
According to lodge education advocate Pete Gisonda, a North Massapequa resident, the funding for the 33-year tradition of awarding scholarships come from the generosity of local merchants, community leaders, and lodge members who support the Columbus Lodge’s annual scholarship journal. Gisonda also expresses great satisfaction in following the career paths of the award recipients.
Former recipients of the scholarship include Vincent Grande III, a Farmingdale H.S. class of ’79 graduate, who is a practicing attorney with a law office in Lindenhurst. Michael Contorno, a Massapequa H.S. class of ’94 graduate, obtained his BS from Cornell University, an MBA from Baruch College, and is a manager for the Vanguard Group. And Patrick Martone, a Massapequa H.S. class of 2006 graduate, will complete his studies at Colgate University this spring and will begin medical school in the fall.
The Columbus Lodge is a not-for-profit fraternal organization and member of the Order Sons of Italy in America. The lodge offers its members various social and recreational activities and its charitable donations to local charities and scholarship program have made it a fabric in the community. To become a member of this dynamic organization, contact membership chairman Gary Caparco at (516) 799-2613.
