The Molisani of Southern California Scholarship Banquet: A major success honoring five students of Molisani descent from Southern California with $1000 scholarship

The Molisani of Southern California honored five high school students of Molisani descent sunday august 14, 2011 at the “Castaway Restaurant and Banquet”, Burbank, California. they awarded each student with a scholarship valued $1000.00 each, for their high academic studies, for participating in activities in their high school and for volunteering time in the community at large. The event was attended by many guests including, Molisani members, fami- lies, and friends of the students.

All guests arrived and were welcomed with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres to enjoy, made by the master chef of our community Gaetano Masciotra, with home made wine made by the Molisani organization President, Franco Iezza.

The scholarship banquet started with “the Prayer of Saint Francis” and opening comments made by the chairman and Master of Ceremonies for the event, Nick M. D’Egidio who thanked every one in attendance making the event very special for the students, fo and all the applicants who applied for the scholarship, wishing them much success in their future studies.

He introduced his co-chairman Albertino D’Egidio, who acknowledged the President Franco iezza for organizing the Molisani organization back in 2008. he went on to state that the organization was established to raise money with various events yearly in order to award high school students scholarships.

The organization would select students who apply for the scholarship either as natives or descent from the region of Molise. he thanked many members who have taken responsibilities making the event and the organization successful today. The co- chairman introduced President Franco Iezza. The President thanked all present and specifically the students for their hard work and their parents for a wonderful job done raising their children.

He congratulated the five students selected from a group of twelve applicants and thanked all the students who applied for the scholarship. The students being honored were introduced and they where as follows; Miss Mimi Marie Capra, Mr. Jordan T. Goodsell, Mr. Anthony V. Santillo, Miss Daniella Spadafora and Miss Victoria Thomas.
Chairlady Mrs. Marylou Jones thanked the committee for their time and for an excellent job selecting the students.

She introduced the scholarship committee; Mrs. Leda Bloomfield, Mrs. Assunta Capra, Mrs. Tiziana Cordisco, Mrs. Lina Dinlocker, Mr. Saverio Ficocelli and Mrs. Flavia Lo Coco.
The podium was turned back to the master of ceremonies, who asked the sergeant of arms, Mr. Tony Santillo to lead everyone in the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Jordan T. Goodsell, student being honored majoring in theater and Performing arts, volunteered to sing our american national anthem.

The young man sang it so beautifully that he had a standing ovation at the end. he was followed by Mr. Tony Ciaramitaro “The Sicilian Band”, performing band for the event, to sing the Italian National anthem.
Mr. Giancarlo Fadin of “Meranotours” and “Protravel” and “Royal Caribbean Cruise Line”, donated a thirteen day cruise trip.

The cruise would depart on october 14th from Civitavecchia, Rome, Italy, traveling to Israel, Greece, Turkey and Italy. Mr. Fadin was asked to the podium to say a few words. he introduced the “Royal Caribbean Cruise Line” representative Mr. Randall Raudt, aCC, J.D. who spoke on behalf of both Royal Carribean Cruise Line and Meranotours-Protravel. We thanked Mr. Fadin and Mr. Raudt for their donation and the trip was raffled off.Tthe winner was Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Baldridge.

Prior of being served lunch Mrs. ada iezza was asked to say a prayer to bless the food being served for lunch. the luncheon menu was prepared by Mr. Gaetano Masciotra in coordination with the kitchen staff at the “Castaway”.
Then Mr. Jordan T. Goodsell sang “this is the Moment”.

The song was especially selected by Jordan and his grandmother Jill Grande-Goodsell and the young man received another standing ovation. During our luncheon we were entertained by the wonderful music of “The Sicilian Band.”

At the conclusion of the luncheon, the master of ceremonies asked the President, the vice-chairman and the scholarship committee chair to come up to present each student receiving a certificate on behalf of the Molisani organization and a check of $1000.00. Each student was introduced and spoke of his past studies and also of their future plans.

The students were as follows:
Miss Mimi Marie Capra, father born in San Polo Matese, province of Campobasso, Molise, a graduate of Alverno high school, Sierra Madre, California. She is attending California State University, Fullerton. Major Liberal studies, Elementary Education.
Mr. Jordant T. Goodsell, great grand father born in Vastogirardi, province of Isernia, Molise, a graduate of orange Lutheran high school, Orange, California. He is attending Chapman University, Orange. Major in theater and Performing arts.

Mr. Anthony V. Santillo, both grand parents born in san Polo Matese, province of Campobasso, a graduate from Valencia high school, Valencia, California. he is attending Glendale College, Glendale and College of the Canyons, Canyon Country. Major in Communications.

Miss Daniella Spadafora, great grand mother born in Agnone, province of Isernia, Molise, a graduate of Moorpark high school, Moorpark, California. She is attending California State University of San Francisco. Major in nursing.

Miss Victoria Thomas, is the granddaughter of the President, both grandparents born in San Polo Matese, province of Campobasso, a graduate of La Reina high school, Thousand Oaks, California. She is attending Steven’s Institute of technology, Hoboken, New Jersey. Major in Mechanical Engineering.

The festivities continued with music and dancing and with a beautiful closing song sung by the duet Tony Ciaramitaro and Jordan T. Goosell singing “Io Partirò”. At the conclusion all had a great time and enjoyed the entire day.

The “Molisani organization of southern California” thanked Mr. Guy Masciotra, “the Castaway Restaurant” staff, the community at large for their support and also, “L’Italo Americano” for spreading our news and all that they do for the Italian community nationwide.

Nick D'Egidio
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