NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Students from the City School District of New Rochelle helped the Westchester Coalition of Italian American Organizations celebrate Italian Heritage and Culture Month this week.
Six District students were among those honored by the organization for excelling in studying the Italian language. They received certificates in the Presentation and Proclamation of Italian Heritage and Culture Month in Eastchester High School on Tuesday evening.
Thirteen students from Jefferson Elementary School took the stage to sing songs in Italian as part of the ceremony.
Also, two New Rochelle students received scholarships – Daniela Sandoval from New Rochelle High School and Alexandria Pace from Albert Leonard Middle School.
“We are proud of our students honored this week for their achievements in studying the Italian language and culture,” said New Rochelle Interim Superintendent Dr. Magda Parvey. “In our District, we know that it is important to celebrate the many different heritages that make up our community. It is wonderful that the students honored this week uphold that tradition with such excellence.”
Among those celebrating the month and congratulating the students were Westchester County Executive George Latimer and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
One of the honorees, ALMS eighth-grader Olivia Racanello, said she enjoys learning Italian.
“I love it because it’s a way of learning about my heritage,” she said.
Second-grader Catherine “Coco” Bretti from Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center has visited Italy with her family and sees the benefits of knowing the language.
“If you see someone who speaks Italian, you can say ‘Ciao!’ and you can ask their name,” she said.
The New Rochelle public school students who were honored were:
- New Rochelle High School:
- Bianca Antonella Cirillo and Victoria Hoffer
- Albert Leonard Middle School:
- Albi Goci and Olivia Racanello
- Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center:
- Catherine “Coco” Bretti
- Jefferson Elementary School:
- Sierra Daly.