2022 Scholarship Recipients
CONGRATULATIONS!
PIA is pleased to announce our 2022 scholarship recipients. All seven applicants submitted detailed applications that included high school transcripts, family tree details, and an essay about their family's connection to Poggioreale, Sicily.
We are proud to showcase their accomplishments, and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors! Please click on the links below to view their application essays and learn more about their Poggioreale family history.
Alexandria Anderson, Maineville, Ohio
Graduated from Mars Hill Academy in Mason, OH, Alexandria will be studying business and entrepreneurship at Grove City College, a private Christian college in Pennsylvania that was founded in 1876. Her dad, Christopher Anderson, is the great grandson of Salvatore Todaro and Rosa Spina who emigrated from Poggioreale in 1912 and 1913 respectively. Congrats to Alexandria!
Daniel Jones, Missouri City, Texas
Graduated from Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, TX, Daniel will be studying computer science at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. His mother, Lisa Henley Jones, is the great granddaughter of Pietro Maniscalco and Maria Messina who emigrated from Poggioreale in 1908 and 1909 respectively. His mom is also a great great granddaughter of Tommaso Alfano and Antonina Loria who emigrated from Poggioreale in 1891. Great job, Daniel!
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Isabelle May, Broomfield, Colorado
Graduated from Holy Family High School in Broomfield, CO, Isabelle will be studying business administration and entrepreneurship at Gonzaga University, a Catholic university in Spokane, Washington. Her mother, Chelsea May, is the granddaughter of Francis Vincente Aloisio and Lula Larocca who immigrated to the United States from Poggiorele in 1905. Congrats, Isabelle!
Dillon Prokop, Llano, Texas
Graduated from Bellville High School in Bellville, Texas, Dillon will be studying in the fall at Texas A&M University in the College of Engineering. Dillons's dad, Jeff Prokop, is the great grandson of Antonino Zinanti who emigrated from Poggioreale in the early 1900s. Congratulations to Dillon!
Damien Smith, Bryan, Texas
Graduated from Travis B. Bryan High School in Bryan, TX, Damien will be studying TV and film production at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Damien's mom, Katie Smith, is the great granddaughter of Giovanni Palazzotto who emigrated from Poggioreale in 1910. Damien is also a descendant of Rosario Todaro who left Poggioreale for America and arrived in the U.S. in 1890. Great luck to you, Damien!
Gianna South, Bryan, Texas
Graduated from Travis Bryan High School, Gianna
will be attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas to study Interior Design. She hopes to then go abroad to Milan, Italy to further her studies in interior design and architecture. Her mom, Lori South, is the great and great-great granddaughter of the Accurso family who emigrated from Poggioreale around the turn of the century. Best of luck, Gianna!
Sailor Todaro, Bryan, Texas
Graduated from Bryan High School in Bryan, TX, Sailor will be studying interior design and architecture at Sam Houston State University while on their track and field team for pole vaulting.
Her dad, David Todaro, is the great great grandson of Rosario Todaro who left Poggioreale and arrived in the U.S. in 1890. He is also the grandson of Giovanni (John) Palazzotto who emigrated from Poggioreale in 1913. Best of luck to Sailor!