Woodbridge High Senior Receives Scholarship To Become A Plumber

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — This Woodbridge High School senior was given a $1,000 scholarship to join an apprenticeship program through UA Local 9 Plumbers and Pipefitters.

Carmine Pannullo was presented with the scholarship during Woodbridge High School's Senior Awards Night ceremony on June 8.

Pannullo was given the scholarship from The 67 Foundation.org, a scholarship that gives money to young people who pursue careers in the vo-tech or trade fields.

The scholarship was started in memory of Michael and Olympia DeNittis, a Woodbridge couple who lived in Port Reading their entire lives, were married for 67 years and died within 32 hours of each other a few years ago.

"They were childhood sweethearts who earned their living as a seamstress and cabinet maker," said their granddaughter, AnnMarie McDonald. "There are so few scholarship opportunities for students who pursue trade and vocational school — our next generations of plumbers, electricians, etc. We wanted to create this scholarship to honor my grandparents' memory and how hard working they were."

Since it was first started in 2016, the 67 Foundation has given out more than $8,000 in scholarships — to aspiring nurses, auto mechanics and (now) an aspiring plumber.

Pannullo will use the scholarship to cover the cost of equipment and expenses during his plumber apprenticeship, she said.

"He's wise beyond his years and hopes to be in business for himself in a few years," said McDonald.

Read the Patch original story: After 67 Years of Marriage, Woodbridge Couple Dies Within 32 Hours of Each Other