The 11th Annual Awards and Scholarship Celebration of the Association of Italian-American Educators will take place at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, Long Island On Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Among the Educator of the Year Honorees: 2010 are Emelise Aleandri, for Promotion of Italian-American Theatre and Mario Fratti for Promotion of Italian Theatre and Cinema. Since 1999, the Educator of the Year Awards have rendered tribute to meritorious Italian-Americans in the fields of education, the arts, community service and business.
 
 The AIAE, founded in 1997, has real cause for celebration. More than 140 students have graduated from the Programma Ponte Scholarship Program, currently in its 14th year. In 2008, one of the graduates, Brandon Essary, assumed the responsibility of on-site director in Rome. In addition to the noteworthy growth and success of the Programma Ponte, the AIAE is indeed proud of other endeavors. The “Piazza dei Poeti”, coordinated by the poet, Louise Calio, and sponsored by the AIAE in conjunction with the Italian American Experience Festival at Hofstra University each September, has promoted the voice of our poets. A fellowship for teachers of the Italian language, instituted in 2007, is another vital component of AIAE outreach.
 
 The Awards and Scholarship Gala is the AIAE’s major fund raising event and constitutes the basis of financial support for all of their programs. As always, the event includes a cocktail reception in the garden (weather permitting), followed by dinner and dancing in the Grand Ballroom. The journal published for the occasion constitutes a source of support for our scholarship and fellowship programs. Many sponsorship opportunities are available. For information and questions contact Cav. Josephine A. Maietta at:
[email protected]
512 Bell Street
West Hempstead, NY 11552