Il Columbus Italian Club ha festeggiato il 18 luglio i vincitori delle borse di studio. Il club gli ha concesso quattordici borse di studio che insieme sono aumentate a $23.000. I vincitori sono stati un gruppo eterogeneo di studenti che quest'anno si sono diplomati al liceo. Gli studenti intendono specializzarsi in ingegneria, economia, medicina e arte. Alla celebrazione sono stati invitati i vincitori e le loro famiglie. L'oratrice principale è stata Rosa di Grottole, vicedirettrice del programma di Lingua Italiana all'università Ohio State.

Here in Columbus, the capital city of Ohio, the Columbus Italian Club (CIC), a fraternal organization founded in 1978 whose mission is to promote and preserve Italian culture and heritage in the local Italian-American community, recently awarded scholarships to deserving high school seniors of Italian descent who wish to further their education. 

Over the past 40 years through collaboration between the CIC and its “Educational Assistance Corp” (EAC) arm, over $400,000.00 has been awarded in scholarships to central Ohioans of Italian descent. The Scholarship program is the CIC’s signature philanthropic activity. 

The CIC-EAC is making a difference for the next generation of those who share Italian ancestry. The CIC-EAC relies on contributions from individuals, fundraising activities, and the CIC membership to support its scholarship program.

Evaluation of each applicant submission concentrates on four principal areas: academics, life activities, financial need, and writing an essay on topics such as early Italian immigration, Italian American history, and Italy’s history. 

The EAC board of directors is responsible for evaluating and awarding those applicants who have objectively met the established criteria. The EAC board works closely with the CIC board members to coordinate all scholarship efforts to include the yearly scholarship awards banquet dinner.

The 2024 scholarship awards banquet was held at the CIC building on July 18, 2024. This marked the 41st year of the CIC’s Scholarship program. Fourteen scholarships were awarded at a total amount of $23,000.00. This year’s outstanding class of applicants include those with career aspirations such as engineering, business, medicine, social sciences, and the arts. Opening remarks made by Mr. Darren Spensiero, President, CIC-EAC welcomed all those in attendance. 

The awardees, their family members, CIC member contributors and quests enjoyed Italian music by a prominent local band, a catered Italian food fest making for a memorable occasion. All 14 awardees were individually recognized at the podium and mentioned the respective college they will be attending. The Scholarship program keynote speaker was Rosa Di Grottole. Ms. Di Grottole is the assistant director of the Italian Language program at The Ohio State University, and co-owner and Creative Director at the Italian Dream Academy. Ms. Di Grottole, as a long-time educator, provided an inspiring speech to all those in attendance. 

The CIC-EAC is honored to welcome such a distinguished group of high school students into its ranks of recipients and is proud to play a part in their continuing education. 

Many thanks go out to too many names to mention here from the CIC-EAC, however, rest assured those behind the scenes and unnamed here include the general CIC members/contributors, donors who in so many ways contribute and fund the yearly Scholarship program making it a great success.

Bravo, Columbus Italian Club and its Educational Assistance Corp.!