Sunday, May 1, 2016 – the AIAE -Association of Italian American Educators – celebrated the eighteenth Annual Awards and Scholarship Gala at the Chateau Briand, in Carle Place. Among the special guests was the new Consul General of Italy in New York, Francesco Genuardi, the Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and his wife, Linda Mangano, and the Ex-First Lady of New York Matilda Raffa Cuomo, who gave an impressive speech. She spoke about the importance of continuing our Italian culture and traditions, maintaining our ethnic pride, and teaching the Italian language to generations to come.
The Gala’s entertainment was provided by the tenor Frank Rendo, who sang “Inno di Mameli”, and soprano Marla Kavanaugh, who sang “The Star Spangled Banner”.
The Italian culture and cultural events in the United States are promoted by the Foreign Ministry and coordinated by the Embassy in Washington, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institutes and the Italian Consulates. The events organized by the Italian Cultural Institutes promote the Italian identity and the Italian heritage in New York, as well as in the Nation. Beside the diplomatic unities, there are several Italian American associations committed to spreading our Italian tradition and to promote positive Italian images in education among young Italian Americans. One of these associations is the AIAE, a non-profit organization run by volunteers. The AIAE gets funds through donations, and its major fund raising is the annual Gala, which constitutes the basic financial support for all its programs.
The organization was founded in 1997 with the goal of improving the image of Italian American professionals. In 2002, the AIAE received the “Silver Medal” from the President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Cav. Josephine A. Maietta, who was born in Sicily at Castelvetrano, is the president of the AIAE since 2013. She has spent over 30 years dedicated to the promotion of the Italian language and culture on Long Island, where she has also been teaching Italian for 20 years. The other professors who are part of the 2015-2016 AIAE EXECUTIVE BOARD are: Executive Vice President, Dr. Carmela Leonardi; Vice President, Prof. Irma Evangelista; Treasurer, Joseph Leonardi, CPA; Secretary, Prof. Carolyn DeSimone; Membership Chair, Dr. Vincenzo Milione.
Commenting on the AIAE since 1999, Josephine Maietta says: “The AIAE is strongly committed to promoting the positive Italian American image, investing in our students and their experiences; honoring and recognizing outstanding leaders and role models in our Italian American community; and celebrating and maintaining our rich Italian Heritage in the USA. The Gala and its Award and Scholarship recipients so exemplify these beliefs every year.”
Josephine Maietta is also collaborating with Hofstra University and other institutions to help the AIAE participate in the Italian American Poets (La Piazza dei Poeti) an Italian American Experience Lecture Series. This event starts with an annual Breakfast Networking Meeting with major organizations, and is followed by a Lunch Networking Meeting, which includes outstanding speakers and leaders from the Long Island community. Among its many activities, the AIAE promotes professional development for teachers and other professionals. Every year during the Gala Awards ceremony in May, the Association recognizes and honors Italo-American colleagues for their professionalism, achievements, and dedication to the Italian culture and heritage.
This year, the distinguished Italian American professionals, whose meritorious achievements and contributions were honored were: Dr. Antonio Giordano, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple University – Outstanding Achievements in Medical Research Award; Prof. David S. Lalama, Hofstra University – Lifetime Achievement Award; Alberta Gulotta, Founder of the Little Language Studio Educator of the Year Award; Nicholas Maurantonio, The Mary Louis Academy Educator of the Year Award; Nancy Indelicato, Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc., Co-Chair, Public Relations – Promotion of Italian Language and Culture Award; Alessandra Belloni, Founder& Artistic Director of “I Giullari Di Piazza” – AIAE Award in Performing Arts; and Dr. Almerinda Forte, St John’s University – Higher Education & Administrative Award.
The Association is also sponsoring the Ponte Program, a four-week program of study in Rome, Italy that offers cultural and language study opportunities. This scholarship was established in 1997 in Rome by the AIAE in collaboration and partnership with the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Federazione Nazionale dei Cavalieri del Lavoro (FNCL). The number of scholarships awarded is dependent on the availability of room and board at the Residenza dei Cavalieri del Lavoro, located at Via Giuseppe Saredo, 74 in Cinecittà, Rome. To apply for the scholarship one must be an undergraduate student in good standing with a GPA of 3.5 or above. He/she must have one parent or grandparent of Italian ancestry, and possess substantial understanding of the Italian language. This year the Ponte scholarship recipients were: Maria Antonietta Bevilacqua, Adelphi University; Candice Chieffo, Temple University; Alessia DiPaolo, Southern Connecticut State University; Vincenzo Elvezio, Stony Brook University; and Alexander Hoelzli, Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies.
Thanks to the dedication of the volunteers, and the generosity of people who donate money to the associations, and whose love of their ancestry and their Italian identity has helped spread the Italian language, heritage, and Culture in the United States. People’s dedication, passion, and time will enable the AIAE to continue spreading a positive image of our valuable historical and cultural heritage, that the whole world love.
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