photos by Donna Davis
10 Scholarship award recipients
L-R-Walter Rodriquez, Trustee, Joe Romano, Trustee, Mayor Mike Spano, Hon Janet DiFiore, Chair, Italian American Forum and KeyNote Speaker, Anna Malafronte – Executive Director of Italian American Forum, 2025 Honoree, Helen Henkel, Honorary Trustee, Tony Maddalena, Trustee, Sean Zimmer, Trustee and Treasurer
City Council Majority Leader John Rubbo, Mayor Mike Spano, State Senator Shelley Mayer
The Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers proudly announces the 2025 scholarship recipients, honored at the 62nd Annual Scholarship Breakfast held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Mulino’s at Lake Isle in Eastchester, New York.
Founded over six decades ago by Mike Vitulli and fellow community leaders, the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers ( “Enrico Fermi”) remains steadfast in its mission: to support the academic aspirations of high school seniors with traceable Italian heritage. While originally focused on Yonkers students, the scholarship now extends across Westchester County, reflecting its growing reach and impact.
This year, ten graduating high school seniors with traceable Italian heritage were awarded scholarships totaling $55,000 in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community service. The 2025 awards include six scholarships to Yonkers residents, three countywide scholarships, and one countywide science scholarship.
Also at the Breakfast, the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund paid tribute to two long-time supporters, Lucia Trovato, a former Trustee, and Peter Smith of the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation, who passed away within the past year. A moment of silence was held in their honor, recognizing their lasting contributions and the significant impact they had on Enrico Fermi over many years.
The Breakfast celebration also included a special recognition given to the Italian American Forum (IAF) as our Honoree. As a long-time supporter of Enrico Fermi, the IAF was honored for its continued dedication to preserving Italian culture, supporting students through scholarships, and assisting community members in need. The IAF also proudly sponsored this year’s Enrico Fermi Science Scholarship.
We were especially honored to welcome The Hon. Janet DiFiore, Chair of the IAF Board and former Chief Judge of the State of New York, as our keynote speaker. In a powerful and inspiring address, she spoke about the value of education, the importance of heritage, and encouraged students to pursue their passions while remaining grounded in their cultural identity and to be the best they can be.
“This year, we were able to provide ten scholarships thanks to our generous sponsors, contributors, and journal advertisers,” said Rich Poccia, President of the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund. “Their support, along with the dedication of our many volunteers—including parents of past recipients —helps us maintain the legacy and tradition of the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund. It is through this collective effort that we are able to honor our heritage, invest in future leaders, and keep the spirit of this mission alive year after year.”
Dr. Susan Campanile, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, noted that Enrico Fermi received a significant number of applications from highly qualified students, making this a very competitive class of applicants and added that “these ten recipients exemplify both academic and civic excellence and are poised to lead with pride in their heritage and dedication to community”.
Poccia added, “We are proud to celebrate these recipients and thank all those at our 62nd Annual Scholarship Breakfast celebration and for their help in keeping this tradition. Each recipient honors their Italian roots while forging their own bright future.”
The 2025 Enrico Fermi Educational Fund Scholarship Recipients are as follows:
● Nicholas Airo is a graduating senior from Archbishop Stepinac High School. He is the son of Joseph and Tara Airo and plans to study Accounting at Fordham University. Nicholas is the recipient of a Yonkers Fermi Scholarship sponsored by Yonkers Contracting Corporation, in the amount of $5,000.
● William Bracchitta is a graduating senior from Fordham Preparatory School. The son of Jeffrey and Kristi Bracchitta, William will attend the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, with plans to become a Quantitative Analyst. He is a recipient of a Fermi Countywide Scholarship in the amount of $5,000.
● Ian Cavalluzzi is the Class Valedictorian at Riverside High School. The son of John and Celina Cavalluzzi, Ian will attend the University at Buffalo to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. He is the recipient of the Yonkers Fermi Scholarship sponsored by the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation in the amount of $10,000. This distinguished scholarship is awarded to one Yonkers-based Fermi scholar who has demonstrated outstanding service to their community.
● Alexandra Daley, Class Valedictorian of Roosevelt High School Early College Studies, is
the daughter of Nina and Sean Daley. She will attend Marist University, majoring in
Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities on the Psychology track. Alexandra is
the recipient of a Yonkers Fermi Scholarship in memory of John N. Romano in the amount
of $5,000.
● Mateo del Rio Lanse, a senior at Iona Preparatory School, is the son of Emilio del Rio
and Veronica Lanse. Mateo will attend Cornell University, where he will major in Electrical
and Computer Engineering with the goal of becoming a leader in machine learning
research. He is the recipient of the Fermi Science Scholarship sponsored by the Italian
American Forum, in the amount of $5,000.
● Melissa DeLuise is the Valedictorian of Maria Regina High School. She is the daughter of
Joanne DeLuise and Michael Ricci. Melissa plans to study Electrical Engineering on a
pre-law track at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is the recipient of a Yonkers Fermi
Scholarship in memory of Joseph G. Romano and Anthony D. Romano, awarded in the
amount of $5,000.
● Domenick Thomas Fedele II is a graduating senior at Yorktown High School and the son
of Ron and Stephanie Fedele. Domenick will attend Fordham University this fall to study
Political Science. He is a recipient of a Fermi Countywide Scholarship in the amount of
$5,000.
● Lilianne Williams-Ameen is a senior at Dobbs Ferry High School. The daughter of Teresa
Williams and Farhad Ameen, Lilianne is a dedicated student, musician, and researcher.
She will attend Princeton University, where she plans to major in English with minors in
Music Performance and Journalism. Lilianne is the recipient of a Fermi Countywide
Scholarship in the amount of $5,000.
Detailed biographies of each recipient are attached to this press release and also can be found on
our website at www.enricofermi.org.
