OSDIA’s Sons of Italy Foundation held its 34th annual National Education and Leadership Awards gala on Thursday, May 25th at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

At the Gala 16 students received generous scholarships and the following individuals were honored:

– Honorable William Pascrell, Jr., U.S. Representative, (SIF Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service)
– Anthony Naccarato, President & Chairman American Maritime Officers Service (SIF Education & Leadership Award)
– Jill Albertelli, President, Military Engines, Pratt & Whitney (SIF Excellence in Business Award)
– Tony L Bianco, Award-winning actor (SIF Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts)
– Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice-president, Seafarers International Union (SIF Humanitarian Award)

HOMH (Help Our Military Heroes) was presented with a check for $20,000. This donation marks the 9th time in 10 years that the Sons of Italy Foundation has donated at least $20,000 to a veteran who was injured while on active duty.

The NELA Gala Honorary Chair was H.E. Mariangela Zappia, Italy’s Ambassador to the United States. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was actor Joe Mantegna. Entertainment was provided by the Sicilian Tenors. Also present were OSDIA and SIF officers and trustees, SIF donors, and hundreds of guests.

National Recording Secretary Anthony Perfilio and Grand Lodger of Ohio Vice-President Eldora Perfilio presented the Scholarship for Italian Language Study to Sofia-Teresa Bacco who is pursuing her studies at Dickenson College.

It was a grand evening full of inspiration, great food, entertainment, and Italian pride.