FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 7, 2013) Seven university students who reside in Florida have received National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Scholarships. The students are Michael Corso of Naples, Daniel DePrisco of Naples, Lisa Anne Feola of Marco Island, Madison Marie McIntosh of West Palm Beach, Victoria Messina of Tampa, Michael Olson of Boca Raton and Michael Ragusa of Naples.

“NIAF has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships and grants across the country since its inception. NIAF’s leadership is extremely proud of the high caliber of students and their outstanding achievements,” said NIAF Chief Operating Officer John M. Viola

NIAF celebrates its 38th anniversary this year. The scholarship program has grown from four scholarships of $250 each to dozens of annual scholarships that range in value from $2,000 to $10,000 each in the humanities, medicine, business, engineering, music, Italian language and culture and other specialized fields.

Scholarship winners are selected based on academic merit and are academically outstanding, with an average GPA of 3.95. The average scholarship in the United States was more than $4,000.

In addition to NIAF’s scholarship program, this year NIAF donated funds for the Cooperativa Sociale Nazareno, a facility for disabled and mentally challenged individuals, ravaged by the recent Emilia Romagna earthquake in May 2012. NIAF also sent college students to Italy’s Campania and Lazio regions to participate in the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery program, an educational and cultural initiative.

Contributors to the NIAF scholarship program include corporations, individuals and organizations across the United States.

Apply online for a 2013-2014 NIAF scholarship at www.niaf.org/scholarships. Application deadline is March 1, 2013.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.

NIAF SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FROM FLORIDA

• Michael Corso of Naples, Fla., has received the Gene Sarazen Memorial Scholarship. Corso attends Loyola University New Orleans and is majoring in Biology.
• Daniel DePrisco of Naples, Fla., has received the Gene Sarazen Memorial Scholarship. DePrisco attends Florida Gulf Coast University and is majoring in Mathematics.
• Lisa Anne Feola of Marco Island, Fla., has received the Italian American Society of Southwest Florida Scholarship. Feola attends Florida Gulf Coast University and is majoring in Education.
• Madison Marie McIntosh of West Palm Beach, Fla., has received the Il Circolo Matching Scholarship. McIntosh attends Mannes College The New School for Music and is majoring in Voice.
• Victoria Messina of Tampa, Fla., has received the Festa Italiana Matching Scholarship. Messina attends University of Florida and is majoring in Journalism.
• Michael Olson of Boca Raton, Fla., has received the Il Circolo Matching Scholarship. Olson attends University of Florida and is majoring in Biology.
• Michael Ragusa of Naples, Fla., has received the Italian American Society of Southwest Florida Scholarship. Ragusa attends University of South Florida.