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COLLEGE DREAMS BECOME REALITY
AS COLUMBUS CITIZENS FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS Higher Education Now within Grasp of Deserving Students New York, NY, June 28 - The Columbus Citizens Foundation awarded college scholarships to 96 students in recognition of their academic achievement and community service on June 28. The awards ceremony, held at the DiCapo Opera Theater in New York City, was attended by over 200 students and their family members, as well as members of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. The four-year scholarships are provided to students of Italian-American heritage who have a record of academic achievement and community service and whose families have demonstrated financial need. “The mission of our foundation has always been to provide funding in the quest of enrichment so that young people may reach their full potential,” said Louis A. Tallarini, President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. “It is very gratifying to see so many young men and women on stage tonight and, in the audience, the parents and family members who have nurtured the work ethic, sense of community and appreciation for the importance of carrying on our Italian culture in this country.” Before the awards presentation, John A. Loconsolo, Chairman of the College Scholarship Committee of the foundation, said, “Tonight, we are honored to have with us 96 college scholarship recipients – young men and women whose outstanding academic achievements, pride in our wonderful heritage and dedication and service to their communities make them worthy of this honor. It is my pleasure to congratulate you.” The 96 recipients were selected from a pool of 273 applicants. They live in states across the country including California, Oregon and Texas though the great majority are from New York (80). They will be attending a wide range of schools, from small private colleges to large state universities. The schools with the highest concentration of attending recipients are St. John’s University (14) and Fordham and New York Universities (five each). Six students received Foundation Adopt-A-Scholar grants. These awards are four-years scholarships named after the benefactors who provide the scholarships. Also attending the event were members of the foundation’s Young Adults Auxiliary, which is made up of men and woman who, though not members of the organization, support the foundation’s mission and raise funds for scholarships through various events. Among those present were the president of the Young Adults Auxiliary, Frank A. Zimbaro, and Auxiliary vice president, Michele Pecora. The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian-American students through various scholarship and grant programs. Best known for organizing New York City’s Columbus Day Parade, in 2006 the Foundation is providing scholarships and grants to 749 students. HOME PRESS RELEASES |