Our History
The FIERI Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 to enable and encourage gifted students to pursue their educational goals. From its inception we have attempted to find ways of promoting our shared Italian American heritage while supporting academic excellence.
We currently have the following programmatic initiatives:
FIERI Scholarships
Our signature endeavor, the Fund provides a $5,000 scholarship annually to a gifted Italian American student. The criteria utilized focuses on academic achievement, engagement with our shared heritage and financial need. Thanks to the generous support of the Italian American Forum, the Fund is now able to provide a second $5000 scholarship.
FIERI High School Awards
These awards are given to high school students that have excelled in the study of the Italian language. The following area schools have been sponsored by our generous donors: Iona Preparatory School (Josephine & Anthony Monaco), Pelham Memorial High School (Josephine & Anthony Monaco); The Ursuline School (Josephine & Anthony Monaco); Cardinal Spellman High School (AMM Engineering PC); Fordham Preparatory School (Columbus Alliance) and Preston High School (Rosemarie DiGesu). If you are interested in sponsoring a high school please contact us.
Aiello Rinascimento Award
Provided through a grant given to us by former New York City Board of Education President Stephen Aiello in honor of his mother Laura, the Aiello Award supports the financial needs of high school Italian departments. These funds have been utilized to provide additional resources to improve the educational experience of the students.
FIERI Scholarship Breakfast
For the past 37 years, our signature annual event has served as an opportunity for family, friends, business and civic leaders to join together to present our scholarships and recognize prominent Italian American leaders. Notable honorees have included Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Dr. Dominic Purpura and Hon. Geraldine Ferraro to name just a few.
Our Board of Directors
Chairperson:
John F. Calvelli
Immediate Past Chair:
Antonia Boiano
Secretary:
Fulvia Millite Del Pozzo, MD
Treasurer
Anthony M. Monaco
Scholarship Committee Chair:
Krista Gresia
Event Committee Chair:
Maria A. Branca, DPM
Board Members:
Donna M. Alfieri Timmes, DPM
Louis J. Calvelli
Rosemary Deluca
Fortunata DeLucia
Rachel Filasto, Esq.
Francesca LaGumina
Donna La Spina
Anna Malafronte
Melissa Passarelli