COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

Knowledge is power. But enthusiasm pulls the switch.

Each school year, five substantial Pelham Civic Association awards are issued to local high school and college students who demonstrate enthusiasm and motivation in the areas of community service, charitable support and civic leadership.

These three hallmarks make up the very culture of our organization and are the traits valued and recognized in the Pelham Civic Association members in whose name these awards are given.

Creating awards in their names gives the Civics the opportunity to honor these special individuals, and, at the same time, encourage local students to follow their example.

The first two awards are usually presented during the High School graduation ceremony. The remaining three are presented at the PMHS Awards Assembly.

The Vincent J. Lopardi Community Service Award.
Mr. Lopardi (1904-1994) was one of the founding fathers of the Pelham Civic Association, serving two separate terms as president. He was a living monument of community pride and unselfish support to his neighbors. Appropriately, a $5,000 award is presented to a graduating high school senior residing in Pelham, who best exemplifies the same civic pride and community spirit.

The Camillo J. D'Urso Charitable Support Award.
Mr. D'Urso (1929-1986) was a Pelham Civic Association member for almost 20 years, donating countless hours and financial help to charitable causes. As chairman of D'Urso supermarkets and president of Key Food Stores Co-operative, he was the recipient of many humanitarian awards. To perpetuate the memory of his membership in our association, $5,000 will be presented to either a high school, college or graduate student who resides in Pelham, and who best exemplifies leadership and support in charitable work.

The Honorable Richard J. Daronco Civic Leadership Award.
Judge Daronco was an active member of  our organization for almost 30 years. He was honored as the Pelham Civics Man of the Year in 1974 and in 1987, former President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge Daronco to the bench of the United States District Court. At that time he was the youngest appointee in history. The Honorable Richard J. Daronco award is presented to a Pelham High School junior class student who best personifies civic leadership and responsibility along with the ideals and principals of the late Judge. The award includes an expense-paid trip to serve as the Pelham representative to the Model Congress or Model United Nations program, or similar program, with expenses paid up to $1,500.

The Joseph L. Nunziata Award for Creativity and Service is named for a current member. Mr. Nunziata has used his creative talents in many ways, both locally and nationally. Several years ago he created a Memorial Day brochure that earned him national recognition and a nomination for a “National Point of Light” from former president George Herbert Bush. He was named the Pelham Civic Association Man of the Year in 1998. The Joseph L. Nunziata award is an award for Creativity and Service and recognizes a student for outstanding spirit and imagination and artistic talent used in the service of the community. The award is in the amount of $1,000.

The Philip J. Colicchio Award for Leadership is also named for a current member. Mr. Colicchio is a man who is always ready for a challenge. He personifies the virtues of effective leadership. He devotes boundless energy and time to the community and inspires those who work with him to give their best efforts. The Pelham Civic Association honored him in 1995 by naming him Man of the Year and in 2003 the United Way of Pelham named him as their Man of the Year. The Philip J. Colicchio award for leadership is presented each year to the incoming PMHS president of the student association. The award is in the amount of $1,000.

The following students were honored in 2009.
-- Peter Bernstein and Harry Oppenheimer received the Hon. Richard J. Daronco Civic Leadership Award.
-- Harry Oppenheimer received the Philip J. Colicchio Award.
-- Allison Focella received the Joseph L. Nunziata Award for Creativity and Service.
-- Grace Murray received the the Vincent J. Lopardi Community Service Award.
-- Morgan McDaniel received the Camillo J. D'Urso Charitable Support Award.

Dr. John Pacia is the Community Awards Chairman of the Pelham Civics.

For more information about the awards,
     Please contact Dr. John Pacia, Ph:914-738-2195 or via email: jpjp15@aol.com.