Italian-American scholarship winners
Joseph Belfiore
Julia Ciotti
Julia DeRienzo
Mia DiNardo
Abigail Faust
Daniel Florentino
Sydney Hannah
Sarah Lucas
Dante Marcucci
Julia Seraly
The Italian-American Cultural & Heritage Society of Washington County will honor 10 scholarship winners and Outstanding Italian-American honoree Jack A. Barcelona at a dinner May 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. With this year’s awards, the organization will have given 190 scholarships to Washington County residents since 1992. Dinner tickets are available by calling Dennis Urso at 724-299-3295.
The scholarships are $3,000 each and are awarded through application of criteria that includes a one-page essay expressing their insights as a member of an Italian-American family; high academic achievement with at least a 3.5 grade-point average 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.
Recipients are:
Joseph Charles Belfiore of Peters Township High School. Belfiore has a 5.06 weighted grade-point average and is active in theater and music. He has performed in a vast number of productions in high school and community theater. He also plays piano and violin, and has played the violin at the Benedum Center. Belfiore has received extensive awards in forensics competition at the regional, state and national level, and was selected to the Governor’s School for Health Sciences. He also serves as a volunteer at Washington Hospital. Belfiore plans to major in biology and theater at Case Western Reserve University. His parents are Anthony and Christine Belfiore of Venetia.
Julia Rose Ciotti of Canon McMillan High School. Ciotti ranks in the top 5 percent of her graduating class. She has received the Amelia Earhart and Challenge Program Awards for outstanding leadership and volunteer work. Ciotti has been a youth group leader and CCD teacher at her church. She is a member of the National and French honor societies, Student Council and chemistry and French clubs, and she serves as president of the history club. Ciotti also serves as a mentor in Lead CM and captain of the varsity softball team. Julia plans to major in nursing at Duquesne University. Her parents are James and Amy D’Arrigo Ciotti of North Strabane.
Julia Philitsa DeRienzo of Peters Township High School. DeRienzo maintains a 4.97 weighted grade-point average, and is a member of the marching band, Spanish Club, art club and the National Honor Society. She also is a member of the girls varsity golf team and girls varsity tennis team, in which she serves as senior leader. DeRienzo has served as a Sunday school assistant teacher and vacation Bible school leader and counselor. Other volunteer work includes Feed the Hungary Program and Meals on Wheels. DeRienzo plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh or St. Vincent College. Her parents are Umberto and Phyllis DeRienzo of Venetia.
Mia Gabriella DiNardo of Lakeview Christian Academy. DiNardo has a 4.0 unweighted grade-point average and is a member of the foreign language club, drama club, yearbook staff and flutist music ensemble. She is a member of the Speech and Debate League, and was a national Speech and Debate League finalist. She has received the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence, Scholastics Arts and Writing Gold Key, and attended the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute. DiNardo is an avid volunteer with the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System, Light of Life Rescue Mission, Operation Safety and Bridgeville Public Library. She plans to major in occupational therapy at Chatham University. Her parents are Mario and Jena DiNardo of Cecil Township.
Abigail Marie Faust of Trinity Area High School. Faust has a 5.0 weighted grade-point average and is ranked first in her class of 260. She has received the AP Scholar Award with Distinction, National Merit Commended and the Challenge Program’s Academic Excellence Award. She competes in Math League, Academic League, serving as captain, and the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, where she placed first in regional and second in the state. Faust also tutors students at all levels in the school district and is a volunteer with the Washington Health Systems. Faust plans to major in biomedical engineering at Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College. Her parents are Michael and Stephanie Faust of South Strabane Township.
Daniel Christian Florentino of Peters Township High School. Florentino has a 5.11 weighted grade-point average and has been class president for three years and captain of the wrestling team. He also is a member of the Executive Council, Student Council and the National Academy of Inventors. He received the Character Counts Award for his leadership role in raising $61,000 to support the needs of an injured U.S. Marine. His community service includes being a summer camp counselor, participating in the Paramount Senior Living Mug Project and Books for Africa Fundraiser. He also was a presenter of “Safety in Social Media” program for youth and adults. Florentino plans to major in engineering or actuary at Washington & Jefferson College. His parents are Anthony and Petrina DeNello Florentino of McMurray.
Sydney Andrea Hannah of Peters Township High School. Hannah has a 5.25 weighted grade-point average and is an AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Letter of Commendation. She has been a regional winner in National History Day, a regional winner in TEAMS engineering competition and a regional winner and seventh-place finisher at state FBLA contests. She also was selected an oboist in PMEA Band. Hannah is captain of the girls varsity basketball team and volunteers at girls youth basketball clinics as a coach and counselor. She has participated in the Global Affairs Council, Purdue Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects and Georgetown International Relations Summer Institute. Hannah plans to major in engineering. Her parents are Andrew and Jodi Ferrari Hannah of McMurray.
Sarah Jordan Lucas of Ringgold High School. Lucas is ranked first in her class of 188 students. She is a member of the Interact Club, foreign language club, Students-In-Action and Tri-M Music Honors Society, and she participated in the Science Olympiad and Washington County Peer Jury. Lucas also plays viola in the school orchestra. She is a USAG Pennsylvania State vault champion; was named an all-county cross country runner and state qualifier; holds the school record in indoor track and field in the 800 meters, 1 mile, 400-by-4 relay and 800-by-4 relay; and is a WPIAL qualifier in the 800 meters in outdoor track and field. Sarah plans to attend Allegheny College to major in biology and psychology. Her parents are Michael and Anna Giordano Lucas of Carroll Township.
Dante Paul Marcucci of Burgettstown Junior/Senior High School. Marcucci has a 4.47 grade-point average and will graduate first in his class of 90. Marcucci has received the National Merit Scholar Commendation and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Certificate of Merit. He is class president, Student Council president, treasurer of the physics club and captain of the cross country, track and soccer teams. He also was voted CEO at Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week and best counsel/best witness in the Washington County Mock Trial competition. Marcucci is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers with Meals on Wheels and the Greater Washington County Food Bank and is an alter server. Marcucci plans to major in mathematics at Penn State University. His parents are Paul and Amy Marcucci of Burgettstown.
Julia Mia Seraly of Peters Township High School. Seraly has a 4.87 weighted grade-point average and is a member of the Victory Express Soccer Club, girls varsity soccer team, Interact Club, National Honor Society and Student Council. She is a Level II Student Ambassador and public relations officer of the Female Empowerment Club. Seraly also was a featured dancer in “Les Miserables.” Seraly plans to major in biology at the University of Pittsburgh. Her parents are Mark and Loretta Graziani Seraly of Venetia.