Retiring Teacher In West Orange Gets Fond Sendoff At ‘Italian Night’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — This year’s annual “Italian Night” at West Orange High School included a bittersweet highlight: a retirement celebration for a beloved teacher.

WOHS Italian teacher Vincenza Amabile is retiring after 18 years of service to the district, during which she made an indelible mark in the lives of many students. Her achievements were celebrated during the high school’s 2024 Italian Night last month (watch the video below).

Alumni and current students, along with her fellow Italian teachers, celebrated Amabile’s love for Italian culture – especially dance.

This year’s program also showcased Italy's rich cultural heritage by featuring its United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage sites

Students worked hard to prepare dances, songs and displays, demonstrating their commitment and passion for the Italian language and culture.

The evening also celebrated the awarding of 11 scholarships: four from Orange/West Orange UNICO and six from the Italian Club Scholarship fund, recognizing the hard work and dedication of students.

In recent years, the Italian program has seen significant growth, district administrators said. It now offers virtual classes with a sister school in Florence for advanced students, organizes trips to Italy for juniors and seniors, and assists students in applying for and receiving full scholarships to the Montclair State University Italian Summer Intensive Program, where they can earn college credits.

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