CCF Scholarship Spotlights

The Foundation awards scholarships to students of Italian heritage who can demonstrate financial need and have shown success in their studies and involvement with their communities.

Graduating from school is an achievement that has a profound impact on a student’s life and the lives of their families. We ensure that Italian American students of great promise have the financial support they need to graduate through our CCF Scholarship Program. Read on below for the stories of some of our scholars.

Meet Joceyln
Orlando

Jocelyn Orlando is a junior at the University of Notre Dame studying Management Consulting, Italian Language, and Peace Studies. The fall semester of her junior year, she decided to attend John Cabot University for a chance to study abroad. With the support of CCF, Jocelyn was able to spend three months in the “Eternal City” of Rome. “Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, particularly in Italy, and I am extremely grateful to have been able to go there through the help of CCF,” says Jocelyn.

READ MORE ABOUT JOCEYLN
ORLANDO

Meet Samantha
Fordell

Samantha Fordell is a Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology major and Freshman at St. John’s University. Samantha, a 2022-2023 CCF Scholarship Recipient, has enjoyed every second of her first semester. With her godmother and sister being audiologists, Samantha was sure of the path she wanted to pursue. Her goal is to help people communicate with their loved ones and make a difference. She has always been intrigued by a career in audiology but is excited to use the opportunities in her major to strengthen her dreams.

READ MORE ABOUT SAMANTHA
FORDELL

Meet Danielle
Nicoletti

Danielle Nicoletti, graduated in 2022 with a double major in both Nursing and Public Health. As an anatomy and physiology tutor, member of the Dean's Advisory Council, and writer for TCNJ Quality & Safety Education for Nurses Newsletter, Danielle was deeply involved in school. She has worked as a patient care technician for the last two years, volunteered with Rachel's House, an organization that provides support to single pregnant women, and interned with Once Upon a Preemie, while maintaining incredible grades.

Meet Colette
Chiodi

Colette Chiodi is a former high school and college scholarship recipient. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY and attended Bishop Kearney High School. She graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Political Science and a Journalism and Mass Communication minor. Upon graduation, Colette began her career in media planning and strategy for an advertising agency in Manhattan. She has worked across several agencies expanding into marketing operations, focusing on consumer healthcare with clients such as Pfizer.

Meet Jenna
Guardino

Throughout high school, Jenna Guardino knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. In order to chase these dreams, she volunteered at her local hospital shadowing people working in occupational therapy and physical therapy. She quickly realized that those two paths, although amazing, were not for her. It wasn’t until later she realized she wanted to become a nurse.

Meet Bethany
Bonfiglio

From a very young age, Bethany has always loved creating things. In middle school, she spent a lot of time drawing with regular graphite pencils on her homework. As time progressed, she developed an interest in painting and was enthralled by the stories art could tell. She enrolled in The High School of Art and Design and learned more about painting.

Meet Gabriella
Scala

Staten Island native and CCF YAA member, Gabriella Scala, graduated from the University of Connecticut with her bachelor’s degree and is currently working on her doctorate.

Meet Richard
Jackowitz

By age 5, Richard knew he wanted to one day pursue a career in the medical field. As time went on, he grew a passion for animals and his dream of becoming a veterinarian came into fruition..

In the coming weeks, CCF plans to roll out more spotlights on some of our scholarship recipients and their successes. Should you have any questions or are interested in participating, please reach out to Madi at mrathkamp@columbuscitizens.org or Michelle at msantoro@columbuscitizens.org.

Meet Maria
Calise

Maria’s aspiration in life is to become an attorney for her own firm and exonerate the wrongly accused

Meet John
Schiano

While being extremely school oriented, John’s favorite thing is to give back and raise money to help others

Meet Gianpiero
Arnone

Even before the pandemic, Gianpiero spent his time volunteering his time to mix both of his passions: basketball and helping people.

Meet Bree
Parker

Bree graduated Spring 2021 from Cornell University with a Statistical Science major and three minors