Christopher Columbus Lodge # 216 Annual Scholarship Awards

On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, sixteen scholarships were awarded by the Christopher Columbus Lodge of Brockton at a celebration dinner at George’s Café in Brockton. President Todd Petti welcomed the scholars, their families, and guests. Over $10,000 in scholarship awards were dispersed.

The Masters of Ceremonies Scholarship Chairperson Anne Merritt and Committee Members Michelle Connor and Peter Caruso presented these scholarships to the sixteen talented recipients by reading a synopsis of their biographies describing their amazing athletic and academic successes as well as their many accomplishments.

This is the first year the Charitable and Education Trust allowed scholarships to be presented to those seeking post-graduate study.

Lodge Members who had relatives receiving Scholarships were Danielle Ross’ son Thomas Ross, Roberta Richard’s daughter Kelly Williamson, Charles Tartaglia’s grandson Eric Tartaglia, Carol Williams’ granddaughter Lila William, Nunzio Urbano’s grandson Jacob Studley, Pasquale Ciaramella’s niece Michelle Ciaramella, and Lucille LaFranchise’s nephew Matthew Cunningham.

The remaining scholarships recipients were Jada Olivia Froio, Isabella Prosper, Sam Larue, Alexis Ciambriello, Thomas McSweeney, Emma Walsh, Gillian Chew, Michael Aten, and Maria Sacchitella. Thirteen of the sixteen recipients were in attendance.

After the ceremony, a delicious Italian dinner and dessert prepared by George’s Café was served, and a celebratory cake was enjoyed by scholarship recipients, their guests, and the many Lodge members in attendance.

(L-R) Seated: Scholarship Recipients Michelle Ciaramella, Gillian Chew, Alexis Ciambriello, Jada Olivia Froio, and Isabella Prosper // Standing: Scholarship Committee member Peter Caruso, President Todd Petti, Scholarship Recipients Thomas Ross and Thomas McSweeney, Vice President Richard Alfonso, Scholarship Chair Anne Merritt, and Scholarship Committee member Michelle Connor

(L-R) Seated: Scholarship Recipients Eric Tartaglia, Lila Williams, Emma Walsh, Jacob Studley, and Sam Larue // Standing: Scholarship Committee member Peter Caruso, President Todd Petti, Vice President Richard Alfonso, Scholarship Chair Anne Merritt, and Scholarship Committee member Michelle Connor

Michael Aten happily displays his certificate with Scholarship Committee member Peter Caruso

Matthew Cunningham, one of our post-graduate recipients, was unable to attend. He is the grandson of late Lodge member Norma Jantamaso, and great nephew of Lodge Trustee Lucille LaFranchise. He is the choral director at Brockton High School whose Concert Choir was recently awarded 2nd Place nationally in The American Prize in Choral Performance 2018-2019. He is studying for his master’s degree at Florida State University.