For the first time in its 57-year history, the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers has had to cancel its annual scholarship breakfast due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The breakfast has been held on the first Sunday in May since its first breakfast which was held 57 years ago.
“We were very disappointed to have to cancel this year’s breakfast, but vowed to keep our tradition and mission alive, despite reduced funding and the inability to celebrate the accomplishments of the recipients”, said Richard J Poccia, co-president. “We received amazing applicants prior to the COVID-19 restriction, and wanted to be sure we carried on our process of identifying the best students who met our criteria of outstanding academics, strong extracurricular and community involvement and being of traceable Italian heritage” added Walter Rodriguez, co-president. Dr. Marie Elena Liotta, scholarship committee chair said “that despite unusual circumstances in the review of the applicants, we have seven very talented and worthy recipients”.
The Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers provides seven scholarships to high school students in Yonkers, as well as throughout Westchester County. Since its inception, the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund has provided over 400 scholarships with total funds in excess of one million dollars.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers, we are excited to announce the following recipients, who embody the criteria we seek” said Mr. Poccia, adding that “exactly at this time, we need to celebrate the accomplishments of these students, while wishing them well as they embark on their college studies”.
The 2020 Thomas and Agnes Carvel Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 is awarded to Julia DiVita Geremia. Julia is the daughter of Teresa DiVita. This outstanding young lady attended the Ursuline School. She challenged herself with not only honors classes but 8 Advanced Placement courses. True to the essence of this scholarship, Julia has exemplary community service logging approximately 250 hours. She volunteered many hours at the local library, and she taught religious instruction classes for her church. As in her community, she gave many hours to her school’s special events. Additionally, she is a state recognized scholar athlete. The math department chairperson writes, “Julia’s best attributes include a strong work ethic, a great sense of humor, and a natural ability to connect and work with her peers.” Furthermore, her computer science teacher remarks that she “is a leader, hardworking, disciplined, caring, intelligent, funny and engaging in every way.” Julia is a member of the National Honor Society.
Julia plans to study computer science and psychology. She will be attending Bucknell University in the fall.
The 2020 Fermi Scholarship in Memory of John N. Romano in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to Dominic Canale. Dominic is the son of Tony and Cristina Canale. Dominic is a graduate of Fordham Preparatory School. He challenged himself with not only honors classes but 6 Advanced Placement courses. In addition to a rigorous and demanding schedule, Dominic found time to volunteer for several school programs. He was on the crew team as well as having a job. He volunteered in Ecuador with the Working Boys Center, he tutored underclassmen at Fordham, found time to assist with Habitat for Humanity in Tennessee. As an athlete, Dominic was a member of the varsity crew team for all four high school years and was awarded most valuable player. His history and track teacher remarks, “Dominic is in the top one percent of most thoughtful, interesting, hardworking and intelligent young men who has ever sat before me in a classroom. I have learned from him!” Dominic plans to study biology at Bucknell University in the fall.
The 2020 Fermi Scholarship in Memory of Henry J. Monaco, Jr. in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to Victoria Carroll. Victoria is the daughter of James and Rachelle Carroll. She is a graduate from The Ursuline School. Her rigorous course load included both Honors and Advanced Placement courses. She has participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and volunteered at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Children Hospital. A dedicated computer science student, her computer science teacher wrote, “she will graduate high school having completed three years of college level computer science and be proficient in two object-oriented languages (Visual Studio and Java) which is an impressive accomplishment.” A member of the National Honor Society, Victoria found time to volunteer in school and community activities even starting her own clothing line. Inspired by the City of Yonkers and the 914 area code, 914 Apparel was created. Victoria plans to attend NYU in the fall for computer science.
The 2020 Fermi Scholarship in Memory of Marcella Vitulli in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to Isabella Zimmer. Isabella is the daughter of Sean and Francesca Zimmer. She graduated from the Ursuline School after pursuing a rigorous course load of Honors and 8 AP courses. She continuously volunteers within her school as well as her community at large. Isabella devotes hours to the Girl Scouts in their endeavors which includes cookie sales and meeting setups and volunteers her time to organize food drives for shelters and food banks. She finds time to participate actively on the lacrosse and track teams. An accomplished musician, Isabella plays the clarinet in the orchestra at school. She also finds time to work as a lifeguard during the summer. Her guidance counselor reflects, “Isabella has been an influential, positive leader in our school community as a student and faithful role model. She has a quietly assured manner, allowing others to have confidence in her and trust her.” Isabella will be attending The University of Southern California majoring in economics.
The 2020 Fermi Countywide Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to Nicole Guadagno. Nicole is the daughter of Michael and Denise Guadagno. She is a graduate of Lakeland Senior High School and valedictorian of her class. She maintained a rigorous course of study and was enrolled in all honors classes as well as completing 8 Advanced Placement Courses. She was active in peer tutoring, served as a CCD volunteer at her church, and devoted many hours to Paws Pet Rescue. In addition, Nicole was a varsity soccer athlete and participated in track and field. Even when she was unable to actively run, she remained committed to the team as a referee. Nicole’s guidance counselor remarked, “Nicole is not just defined by her flawless academic record. She is a committed volunteer, she is a referee, a UNICEF club member, babysits, just to mention a few of her endeavors.” Nicole will be attending Northeastern University and plans to study business and design.
The 2020 Fermi Countywide Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to Jack Mango. Jack is the son of Lawrence and Jill Mango. Jack has graduated from John Jay High School. His academic course of study included several college prep and honor courses as well as 9 Advanced Placement Courses. Besides his academic courses, Jack ran varsity cross country track and competed in long distance races each season. He was a member of the Campus Congress, a student government organization which aims at improving the high school. Jack was a dedicated boy scout and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in scouting. He was involved in conducting scientific research and placed first in the Westchester Rockland Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium. His advance placement teacher says“Jack is an intelligent, enthusiastic, and driven intellect. He is insightful, creative and committed to working hard.” Jack plans to attend The University of California-Berkley to study physics.
The 2020 Fermi Science Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to Adriana Palmieri. Adriana is the daughter of Armando and Catherine Palmieri. She is a graduate of Irvington High School. Her academic transcript includes 9 Advanced Placement courses and the rest all honors classes. During last summer, Adriana was a full-time unpaid intern at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals working on CRISPIR gene-editing research. This summer she will continue her research at Regeneron. Her extracurricular activities include mentoring middle school students in math and science and coordinating efforts to provide food, clothing, and gifts for disadvantaged families. She actively participates in the village Midnight Run. She was a member of the track, basketball and bowling teams. She also found time for acting and was a cast member in the spring musicals. Adriana is a National Merit Scholar, a New York State Scholar Athlete, and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors. Her AP Chemistry teacher states emphatically, “In dealing with so many students in my career, Adriana by far exceeds my expectations and still leaves a lasting and positive impression. She sets the bar in how awesome a student can develop.” Adriana will be attending Cornell University to study Food Science.
For more information about the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers, visit www.enricofermi.org, and on social media.
