Somers Central School District Celebrates Italian-American Heritage Month

In celebration of Italian-American Heritage Month, throughout the month of October the Somers Central School District learned about and celebrated different aspects of Italian culture like art, food and music.

This year was dedicated to the Italian Genius Michealangelo and students at SMS celebrated with Professoressa Quinn and Professore Drebycz in a number of ways:  

• Decorated t-shirts adorned with David’s face 
• Used the bottom of desk chairs to create a masterpiece laying down, as Michealangelo did 
• Participated in a fashion show for Italian students to showcase their designs 
• Learned the tarantella, an Italian tambourine dance 
• Created their own Towers of Pisa 
• Crafted the map of Italy with pasta 

Somers Middle School 8th graders also took a field trip to Arthur Ave. to get a ‘taste’ of the Italian culinary community nestled in the Bronx. They were able to purchase tasty treats and try new foods. 

Over at Somers High School, the Italian Club and Signorina Amantina Reyes organized a mozzarella making demonstration with our very own Franki DellaCamera. During Community lunch, students were able to learn about the importance of heating and cooling during the cooking process while tasting a fresh batch. In Italian classes, ninth grade students learned about and researched the Italian regions and their cultures, preparing presentations and flyers; the upper-level courses researched and presented on Gli italiani nel mondo, Italian   

In addition to these fun activities, exceptional students of Italian language and their teachers from across Westchester County were recognized with special certificates. Several students were also presented with scholarships generously donated by John DeCicco Sr. & Sons, the Sottile Family, Mr. Carmine International Hair Salon, and Ace Endico. Two Somers students received certificates of merit and one received a scholarship award: 

• 6th grade:
  Antonio Zurica - Certificate of merit, nominated by Daniel Drebycz 
• 7th grade:
  Nicholas Pogosov - Certificate of merit, nominated by Carmen Quinn 
• 8th grade:
  Francesca Palumbo - Certificate of merit, nominated by Daniel Drebycz 
• 10th grade:
  Bella Goulart - Certificate of merit, nominated by Amantina Reyes 
• 12th grade:
  Arianna Ferro - Certificate of merit, nominated by Melissa Golia 
• 12th grade:
  Kaitlin Gannon - Scholarship, nominated by Melissa Golia