Asia sings as Adriana plays.             Mother and daughter at the Gala.

The Elena and Antonio De Luca Award of $1000, given to a young person who has excelled in the study of Latin and/or Greek, was awarded to Lionel Yaceczko, MA/PhD student in Greek and Latin at Catholic University of America. Lionel impressed the audience with his many accomplishments and, in addition, addressed them in flawless Italian.

  

Lionel Yaceczko accepts the award from Luigi De Luca, and addresses the guests.

The Candida Pitassi Di Croce Italian Language Award of $1000,given to a scholar who has excelled in learning the Italian Language and shows promise of continued commitment to excel in the language and culture of Italy was awarded to Lauren-Claire Kelley, senior at George Mason University with a major in English and a minor in Foreign Languages.  Lauren has been very active in promoting Italian culture at GMU and co-hosts the weekly caffe e conversazione hour. At the Gala she impressed us with a graceful speech in Italian. She is fluent in French as well.

Lauren-Claire Kelley accepts the Candida the Croce and speaks to the audience.

The Young Scientist Award of $1,000, given to a young person who has excelled in the sciences, was awarded to Joseph Ippolito who graduated with two degrees this year from the University of Texas at Austin, one in Physics and the other in Astronomy. Joseph will begin graduate studies at the University of Minnesota in Biomedical Engineering in the fall. Joseph, who has spent time in Italy with relatives, is also fluent in Italian and included remarks in that language in his acceptance speech.

Joseph Ippolito with Luigi De Luca, with his award, and making remarks to the guests.