Italian American Heritage Scholarship
South Shore MA
2026 IACO Italian Heritage Scholarships
Celebrating Italian Heritage & Supporting the Next Generation
The Italian American Cultural Organization (IACO) Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 IACO Italian Heritage Scholarships.
This year, IACO received nearly 40 scholarship applications from outstanding graduating seniors across Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties. Due to the overwhelming number of thoughtful and inspiring applications submitted, the IACO Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee made the decision to expand the scholarship program from four recipients to six recipients for 2026.
Each student selected will receive a $2,500 scholarship in recognition of their accomplishments, goals, leadership, community involvement, and pride in their Italian heritage.
2026 Recipients
Anthony Giannandrea, Weymouth
Drake Grant, Walpole
Sofia Guarino, Braintree
Sienna Lamond, Hanover
Katelyn Lemanski, North Easton
Elaine Monroe, Fairhaven
More Than a Scholarship
This year’s applicant pool was highly competitive, and the committee was incredibly impressed by the thoughtful and personal applications submitted by students across the region. Applications reflected meaningful connections to Italian heritage through family history, Italian regions of origin, traditions, immigration stories, cultural values, community involvement, personal goals, and family pride. While academic achievement and weighted GPA were considered, the scholarship committee placed strong value on each student’s ability to share what their Italian heritage means to them and how they hope to carry those traditions and values forward.
Celebrating Heritage Across Generations
At IACO, we believe it is important not only to celebrate our Italian heritage, but also to continue learning, living, and sharing the traditions, values, culture, and sense of community that have been passed down through generations. We are proud to support students who represent the future of our Italian American community with integrity, compassion, leadership, and purpose.
Join Us for the Scholarship Awards Dinner
The scholarship recipients will be formally recognized during the:
2026 IACO Italian Heritage Scholarship & Awards Dinner
Monday, June 8, 2026
The Tirrell Room
Quincy, Massachusetts
We encourage members, families, sponsors, and friends to join us for this special evening to meet our scholarship recipients, celebrate our shared heritage, and help invest in the next generation of Italian American leaders.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and applicants. The future of our Italian American community is bright, and we are honored to celebrate these exceptional students and their families.
IACO Scholarship Committee
Karen Smizer, Chair, email
Alicia Poole
Lisa Stornaielo
Kris Ventresco
IACO 2025 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
Check out additional photos on our gallery page.
Natalie Pechilis
Madeline Polochick
Maeve White
Sophia Dow
Addison McDonagh
Marianna Lassner
IACO 2024 Scholarship Winners!
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
Ava Donaghue
Julia Fiorello
Bianca Giannandrea
Ava LaRaia
IACO 2023 Scholarship Winners!
Sarah Alberione, Quincy High School
Danielle O’Brien, Quincy High School
Gianvito Montillo, Archbishop Williams High School
Silvia Montillo, Archbishop William High School
Leandra Jordan, Silvia Montillo, Gianvito Montillo, Dominic Candelieri, Ginny Polio & Joyce Annese.
Leandra Jordan, Danielle O’Brien, Sarah Alberione, Joyce Annese & Dominic Candelieri.
Silvia Montillo reading her scholarship essay at the scholarship awards dinner.
Gianvito Montillo reading his scholarship essay at the scholarship awards dinner.
2019 Scholarship Recipient
Carolyn Bresher
2018 Scholarship Recipients
Brook Valicenti
Katherine Gianna Kupolis
Caitlin O’Brier
2020 Scholarship Recipient
Gianna Giannandrea
Questions
For questions about the scholarship, please email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specific GPA to apply? No. While we ask for your GPA if available, this scholarship is not based solely on grades. We are looking for students who demonstrate effort, character, and a commitment to their education, along with a strong connection to their Italian heritage and community.
Can students pursuing a trade or vocational path apply? Yes. Students planning to enter trade, technical, or vocational programs are strongly encouraged to apply. This scholarship supports a variety of post-graduation paths, including both college and skilled trades.
Can I apply if I am attending community college? Yes. Students attending community college, four-year colleges, trade schools, or certification programs are all eligible.
How can the scholarship funds be used? Scholarship funds may be used to support your educational or career path, including:
College or university tuition
Trade or technical programs
Certification or licensing fees
Tools, equipment, or other related expenses
Is a school transcript required? A transcript is not required with your initial application. However, selected scholarship recipients will be asked to provide proof of graduation or a transcript prior to the award.
What are you looking for in an applicant? We are looking for students who:
Have a meaningful connection to their Italian heritage
Are involved in their school, family, or community
Can share their story in a thoughtful and authentic way
Demonstrate a sense of purpose in their future goals
Do I need to know exactly where my family is from in Italy? We encourage you to take the time to explore your family’s Italian roots, including the town or region your family comes from. This process of discovery is an important part of the scholarship and helps students connect more meaningfully with their cultural identity. If you are unable to find all details, we value the effort you made and what you learned along the way.
Do recipients need to attend the scholarship dinner? Yes. Scholarship recipients are required to attend the IACO Scholarship & Heritage Dinner on June 8, 2026 to receive their award.
Support Future Scholarships by Donating
Mail Us A Check
IACO
PO Box 850272
Braintree, MA 02185
