Students compete at Italian contest
Neighbors | Submitted.St. Christine School students, from left, (front) Anna Mshar, Kaylee Ray, Cameryn Olesh, Joseph Donofrio, Michael Budde, Joey Patrone; (back) Isabelle Savich, Carmella Donofrio and Ciel Vidale participated at the 35th annual Italian Language Contest at Youngstown State University. The competition was sponsored by the Greater Youngstown Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Italian March 12.
Nearly 200 high school and elementary students studying Italian competed at the 35th annual Italian Language Contest, sponsored by the Greater Youngstown Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Italian March 12 at Youngstown State University.
During the event, competitors were to recite an Italian poem from memory and high school students had to also read a passage in Italian.
Students representing St. Christine School and receiving awards included second-grader Joseph Donofrio from Youngstown, second place; fourth-graders Joey Patrone; Michael Budde from Canfield, third place; Anna Mshar from Youngstown, second place; Cameryn Olesh from Canfield, first place; Kaylee Ray from Youngstown, first place and fifth-grader Carmella Donofrio from Youngstown, second place.
Sixth-grade winners were Isabelle Savich of Canfield, second place; and Ciel Vidale of Youngstown, first place.
High schools represented during the contest were Boardman, Canfield, Howland, Lowellville, New Castle, Niles, and Poland. Elementary schools represented were students from Holy Family in Poland, St. Christine in Youngstown, Villa Maria Teresa School in Hubbard and Holy Redeemer School in Elwood City, Pa.
Event coordinators were Mary Ann Keifer and Maddalena Amero, Italian teachers at Boardman High School, and Anthony M. DiTommaso.
The major benefactor of the event was the Italian Education Foundation and sponsors included the Wolves Club of Youngstown Den No. 6, Pomini, Inc. and the NOI Foundation, a subsidiary of the Italian Consulate. The Warren Italian Festival Committee was also a contributor and other donors included Peter Rossi & Sons Memorial Chapel, OSIA Lodge No. 2539, OSIA Loggia Roma Intangibile, Wolves Club of Trumbull County Den No. 22, Florence Schneider in memory of her mother Teresa Martone and the University of Pittsburgh Department of French and Italian.