Italian-American winners
The Italian-American Cultural & Heritage Society of Washington County recently announced its eight scholarship winners, bringing its total to 131 scholarships since the organization began awarding them in 1992. The scholarships are worth $3,000 each and are awarded through application of criteria that includes a one-page essay expressing the student’s insights as a member of an Italian family; high academic achievement in a rigorous college-bound curriculum; participation and evidence of leadership in co-curricular activities; and a strong recommendation by a school staff member or official. Winners will be honored at a dinner May 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. Tickets are available by calling Jack Barcelona at 724-483-2380.
Winners are:
Douglas David DiNardo, Chartiers-Houston High School – DiNardo has a 4.2 grade-point average and will graduate at the top of his class. He has taken advanced placement classes in physics, English, American history and college calculus, as well as three college-in-high-school courses. DiNardo is involved with the Alchemist Club, Junior Academy of Science, SADD, student government, Leo Club, Catalyst Club and Varsity Club; a member of the baseball, soccer, and football teams; and a member of the marching, concert and jazz bands. He credits his Noni for enlightening him about the broader meaning of being part of an Italian family. DiNardo’s parents are Douglas and Marianne DiNardo.
Alexa Marie Kostyak, Trinity High School – Kostyak ranks first in her class and has taken advanced placement courses in history, English, biology, psychology, chemistry and calculus. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Academic League, Sign Language Club, debate team, SADD, Friends Helping Friends and the Spanish Club . She also serves as president of the Spanish Honor Society. Kostyak received the Washington & Jefferson College Washington Fellows Honors, National Mathematics Award, All-American Scholar Award, U.S. Achievement Academy Award and the Amelia Earhart Award. Kostyak credits discussions with her great-grandfather for her knowledge and appreciation of the Italian culture. Her parents are Shawn and Denise Kostyak.
Cassandra Rae Lignelli, Ringgold High School – Lignelli is first in her class and has taken advanced placement courses in physics, biology, English, English literature and English language. She also has completed chemistry 110 through the University of Pittsburgh. She has served as class president for four years, is a member of the Interact Club, tennis team, Peer Jury and National Honor Society, and is captain of the debate team. Her honors include Girl Scout Gold Award, World Affairs Council Global Travel Scholar, American Legion Award, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador nd Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Lignelli has completed 355 hours of community service. Her parent are John and Janet Lignelli.
Kyle Gregory Mottola, Peters Township High School – Mottola has a 4.53 grade-point average and has taken advanced placement courses in U.S. history, biology, physics, government and politics, Spanish language, English literature and composition and calculus. Mottola is an Eagle Scout, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a member of SADD, band, Spanish Club, ski club, the volleyball team and National Honor Society. He also participated in the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute, is a member of the South Hills Junior Orchestra and Bridgeville Brass Band and participated in a mission trip sponsored by St. Benedict the Abbot Church. His parents are Gregory and Susan Mottola.
Aaron Joseph Ranallo, Peters Township High School – Ranallo has a 4.53 grade-point average and has taken advanced placement classes in U.S. history, statistics, calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, English and composition and German language. He is a member of Student Council, the robotics club and volleyball, soccer and cross country teams. He was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student, National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction and Student Citizen of the Month. He is a mentor for a First Tech Challenge team and participates in the University of Pittsburgh’s Phage Hunters Project that conducts research on tuberculosis causes. His parents are David and Mary Ranallo.
Julianne Nicole Rotunda, Washington High School – Rotunda has a 4.22 grade-point average and ranks second in her class. She has taken advanced placement courses in U.S. history, chemistry, English and Spanish, as well as college-in-high-school calculus. Rotunda is treasurer of the National Honor Society, vice president of Student Council, class president and a member of the Student Forum and SHALE Academy Program. She also volunteers at a dance studio and works at a restaurant. Rotunda enjoys the family’s Sunday dinners of pasta and meatballs around her grandmother’s table. Her parents are Frank and Tracy Rotunda-Graham.
Caylee Rose Sams, Trinity High School – Sams has a 4.69 grade-point average and has taken advanced placement classes in U.S. history, English, economics, chemistry, English, calculus, statistics, psychology and biology. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, SADD, Key Club, ski club, Peer Jury, concert and chamber choirs and the volleyball and basketball teams. Her honors include Chatham University’s Women in Sports Day Award, Law Day Award, American Legion Award and Principal’s Award. She has volunteered with neighborhood road clean-up, nursing home visitation and as a math tutor at Citizens Library. Her parents are Gary and Cathy Sams.
Alexa Morgan Terrell, Canon-McMillan High School – Terrell has a 4.3 grade-point average and ranks in the top 3 percent of her class. She has taken advanced placement courses in European history, literature and composition, biology and psychology. She is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and SEC Club, which is a special needs peer mentoring program, and has participated in track and cheerleading. She also competed in the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute Program. She said her family continues to instill the strong work ethic that enabled them to integrate into American culture after emigrating from Italy. Her parents are Richard Terrell and Joanne Saieva Romano.