By Christina Martin
Balancing her duties as President of the Newman Club, Assistant Resident Director at Twin Oaks residential complex, and working as a teacher’s aid in Bellmore, Megan Ciccarello, a Hofstra University junior, was recently honored with The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Scholarship Award.
Ciccarello, a Secondary Education, Italian and Spanish Language major from Floral Park, was granted the $2,500 scholarship after applying last spring. Scholarship winners were selected based on academic merit, with the average recipient’s GPA at 3.95. To be considered for the scholarship, students must be pursuing a degree in Italian or be of Italian-American descent. Ciccarello satisfied both of these requirements.
“I was surprised they even picked me. I was notified by e-mail, and I was really taken back,” said Ciccarello.
Scholarships awarded by the NIAF are extremely competitive. In 2005, the foundation received nearly 4,000 applications for 100 scholarships. The NIAF has awarded $9 million in scholarships and grants across the country since its inception, including $1.3 million in 2006 alone. The award was granted for one academic year and may be renewed by reapplying this spring. By accepting the application, Ciccarello is expected to maintain contact with the scholarship contributor and submit a narrative at the end of the scholarship.
“I was really happy because I really enjoy studying Italian and it’s nice to get some help paying for college,” said Ciccarello.
Ciccarello was awarded the Frances M. Rello Scholarship, which is reserved for Italian-American women studying to be teachers who demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting Italian language, heritage, and culture. Since being awarded the scholarship, Ciccarello has corresponded with Frances M. Rello to thank her for the award as well as keep her informed of her accomplishments at school.
“I study both Spanish and Italian literature, as well as education. I hope to be student teaching in a year or two,” said Ciccarello.
To continue her love of studying Italian, Ciccarello will participate in the university Summer in Sorrento Program this upcoming June.