Columbus Day Celebration on the Green

Local school children who won a Christopher Columbus-themed essay contest were honored today in Bloomfield's Columbus Day Celebration on the Green.

In a small gathering on a beautiful October morning, fourth graders from Bloomfield public schools were presented awards for their winning essays by Paul Alongi, Chairman of the Columbus Day ceremony and Bloomfield Unico President Dominick Ferrara.

Unico, the largest Italian American service organization in the United States, does charitable work and supports education with scholarships and contests like the 17th Annual Columbus Day Essay Contest.  

The award-winning students who accepted awards at the Columbus Day ceremony were: 

1ST Place- Mary Nucci-Oak View School

2ND Place-Yasamine B-Razavi- Demerest School

3RD place- Nicolas Carrasco- Fairview School

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Jaret Gillberti- Franklin School

Elizabeth Nucci- Oak View School

Jasra Habibul- Berkeley School

Benjamin Taylor Douglas-Demarest School

Nicole Mautone- Oak View School

Michael A. Bsales- Brookdale School

Ryan Hayford- Brookdale School

Daniel Gerard- Watsessing School

Daniel A. Rhodius- Carteret School

Arianna Mary Costantino- Fairview School 

The awards given to the students were matched by awards for their home and school association, explained Alongi.  The award amounts were $125 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place, with plaques and certificates awarded to all. 

“We raise finds to give to the Volunteer Ambulance group and we gave a music scholarship for $1,000 this year, in the name of my wife, Phyllis,” Ferrara told Patch.

“We do this [contest] to teach the children not only about Columbus but about geography,” he said, noting that Unico receives 150 essays each year and works with educators to judge the entries. 

“What a great tradition,” smiled Mayor Raymond McCarthy, who praised the students efforts during his speech.   “This is my tenth year doing this.  Some of the essays are just outstanding.  Some bring you to tears, to laughter.  It’s what youth is all about.”

“I’m extremely proud of the writing skills of our children,” said Fairview School Principal, Salvatore DeSimone.  “The schools sincerely appreciate Unico’s recognition of our students.”

After the ceremony, the award winners and their families were treated to a pancake breakfast hosted by the Bloomfield Department of Parks and Recreation. 

Neighborhood resident Maxine Cook, who stopped to watch the children receive their awards, was enthusiastic about the ceremony, saying, “I was so proud of the kids and the school district.” 

At the pancake breakfast, award winner Nicolas Carrasco sat with his mom Sylvia and sister Valentina.  “It was honor to be here,” he said. 

“It’s a very nice thing they do here,” noted the former Montclair Chief of Police, Tom Russo, who had come to the ceremony to see his granddaughter Nicole receive her award.  “Montclair ought to do something like this.  The kids deserve the recognition.  And don’t forget the teachers and principals.” 

Yasamine B-Razavi, who accepted her award with a big grin and peace signs to crowd, declared the experience “lots of fun.” 

As she was leaving with mom Vahida and brother Ramin, she said the most exciting part was when her school principal called her at home to announce that she had won the award. 

“I might have won because I put my own words to it,” she said thoughtfully.  “I wrote it my own way.”