The “Spirit of Italian Culture” Scholarship

Spirit of Italian Culture Scholarship
Honoring excellence, service, and Italian heritage.

Each year, the Italian American Cultural Organization of the South Shore (IACO) proudly awards the Spirit of Italian Culture Scholarship to outstanding high school seniors of Italian heritage from the South Shore who are pursuing higher education.

This scholarship celebrates students who embody the values of our community — academic achievement, dedication to community service, and pride in their Italian roots.

In 2025, we awarded six scholarships, each in the amount of $3,000, as a one-time award. These six remarkable students exemplify the motto of our organization through their true Spirit of Italian Culture.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility: High school seniors of Italian heritage residing on the South Shore who are applying to a college, university, or trade school.
Selection Criteria:
- Academic excellence
- Active involvement in community service or volunteerism
- A personal essay describing how Italian heritage has influenced your life, character, and goals
Award Presentation: Recipients are honored in June at our annual Scholarship Dinner.

Applications

Applications are not yet available — please check back soon for details on how to apply.
You can also join our mailing list or follow IACO on social media to be notified when the 2026 scholarship application opens.

Application Deadline TBD

All application materials for the scholarship must be postmarked by TBD.
The IACO Scholarship Committee will review and select the recipients’ documentation.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Congratulations to the 2025
“Spirit of Italian Culture” Scholarship Winners

Sophia M. Dow, Notre Dame Academy

Marianna O. Lassner, The Montgomery Academy, Montgomery, AL

Addison M. McDonagh, Oliver Ames High School

Natalie J. Pechilis, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School

Madeline E. Polochick, Apponequet Regional High School

Maeve C. White, Archbishop Williams High School

The awards were presented at the IACO “Spirit of Italian Culture” Scholarship Dinner, June 16, 2025, at the Tirrell Room in Quincy.

Check out additional photos on our gallery page.

A man playing the violin in front of a screen displaying a thank you message for sponsors and contributors, with the Italian flag in the background.

Group of people sitting around a round dining table with food and drinks, some are clapping or smiling, with a person playing a violin, in a well-lit restaurant or banquet hall.

Congratulations to our 2024 Recipients!

Sonia Dijkstra - Quincy High School
Ava Donaghue - Fontbonne Academy
Julia Fiorello - Thayer Academy
Bianca Giannandrea - Archbishop Williams High School
Ava LaRaia - Norfolk County Agricultural School

Sonia Dijkstra, IACO scholarship committee members Dominic Candelieri and Joyce Annese.

IACO President Leandra Jordan along with Ava Donaghue, IACO scholarship committee members Ginny Polio and Dominic Candelieri.

IACO President Leandra Jordan along with Julia Fiorello, IACO scholarship committee members Ginny Polio and Dominic Candelieri.

IACO President Leandra Jordan along with Bianca Giannandrea, IACO scholarship committee members Dominic Candelieri and Ginny Polio.

IACO President Leandra Jordan along with Ava LaRaia, IACO scholarship committee members Dominic Candelieri and Ginny Polio.

People sitting at tables in a banquet hall during an IACO event; a speaker at a podium addresses the audience near a stage with blue curtains.

A person standing at a podium with a microphone, speaking at an event organized by the Italian American Cultural Organization (IACO), as indicated by the sign on the podium. The background features a blue curtain and some cardboard boxes.

A group of people sitting at round tables in a banquet hall, listening to a speaker at a podium. Tables are set with red napkins, glassware, and plates. Blue curtains and a disco ball are visible in the background.

Ray Cavicchio playing an accordion seated indoors, with musical notes in the background.

Italian American Cultural Organization event with people seated at tables, check-in area, green welcome banner, and disco ball.

Past Spirit of Italian Culture Recipients

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Sarah Alberione - Quincy High School
Danielle O’Brien - Quincy High School 
Gianvito Montillo - Archbishop Williams High School 
Silvia Montillo - Archbishop William High School