3 Students Earn January Honors From Rockland Sons of Italy

From The Rockland Sons of Italy Lodge 2176

PEARL RIVER, NY — The Rockland Sons of Italy Lodge 2176 recognizes students each month who study the Italian language at area schools. The students are presented with a monetary gift at a monthly dinner for the honorees and their family hosted by the Lodge. The students also have an opportunity to thank everyone for the honor. To date the Lodge has honored nearly 40 students.

Three students were honored on Jan. 24 and each gave their speech in Italian first and then in English. The students were Jack Guarnier from Tappan Zee Middle School, Jennifer Peraza of Tappan Zee High School and Sara Ferraro of Clarkstown South High School. Their Italian Language teachers introduced each student and detailed the outstanding backgrounds of each who seemed to be involved in multiple events and activities in their schools and in the community.

The event took place at the Lodge location on Van Wyck Road in Blauvelt, NY. On hand were Lodge President Michael Guzzino and Student of the Month Founder and past Lodge president Nick Sfraga and Lodge member Richard Sica who is on the selection committee as well as nearly 100 lodge members, friends and family.

The Rockland Lodge 2176 of the Order of The Sons of Italy in America was established in 1966 with the goal of enhancing the image of people of Italian descent and has grown into one of the most active organizations in the area. In addition to giving scholarship to students, funds raised through various events are donated to several charitable organizations in and around the area. For more information visit the website or visit them on Facebook.

PHOTO: Left to right, Nick Sfraga, founder of the Student of the Month Program at the Rockland Sons of Italy Lodge 2176, Jack Guarnier, student at Tappan Zee Middle School, Lodge President Mike Guzzino, Jennifer Peraza of Tappan Zee High School and Sara Ferraro of Clarkstown South High School, and Richard Sica, member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 2176 and scholarship selection committee./ Photo Credit: Risa B. Hoag