Longtime friends, Sandra Zagari Forosisky and Robert A. Penza, will share the spotlight Saturday when they are awarded the Spirit of Achievement Award, presented by the Italian Cultural Foundation of South Jersey. The honor, given to those of Italian heritage known for their cultural pride, community involvement and professional achievements, will be presented during the 31st annual gala ball to be held at the Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course.

Winning the accolade sparked a renewed interest in family histories for both recipients and they discussed it over a recent dinner. “We were trying to figure out what we're going to do about our speeches and what are we going to say,” Penza said, recounting his family history that he traced to various regions in Italy including his great grandparent’s hometown of Salandra that currently boasts of a population of just over 2,700.