By Sandra Tornberg

This year's Festa della Repubblica celebration was noteworthy as Mr. Franco Iaderosa was awarded the highest honor of the Republic of Italy, the Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Order of Merit of the Italian Republic). Dr. Maria Luisa Lapresa, Consul of Italy in Detroit, on behalf of President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano, bestowed the honor.

The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded in 1951 by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi, as the senior order of knighthood.

The honor is awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. Investiture takes place biannually on June 2, anniversary of the foundation of the Republic and on December 27, anniversary of the promulgation of the Italian Constitution.

Mr. Iaderosa was born in Cervino, in the province of Caserta, came to Detroit at the age of seventeen and attended the University of Michigan. He taught mathematics and computers in the Detroit Public Schools for thirty-seven years, retiring in 2013. He and his wife Angela have two children, Nina and Marco.

Mr. Iaderosa has been the director of the Nuovi Orizzonti Italiani (NOI) Foundation, Inc. since its formation in 1997. The mission of the NOI Foundation is to "introduce, create and promote courses of Italian language and culture within the regular curriculum of private and public schools from kindergarten to twelfth grade." Mr. Iaderosa has worked tirelessly to promote this mission. The foundation was created in response to the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Italy requesting the organization and promotion of courses in the Italian language in the area governed by the Consulate of Italy in Detroit. Since its inception NOI has increased he number of students enrolled in Italian classes to over 3,500 in Michigan and Ohio.

In his remarks, Mr. Iaderosa told the audience that he was proud and happy to receive the honor and proud to be part of this positive community that works together to overcome obstacles. He was also humbled by the honor, stating that there are others that have done more than he. Mr. Iaderosa commended State Representative Anthony Forlini for "putting the weight of his office" behind the endeavor of increasing the number of school districts offering Italian classes. He told the audience that the Italian community owes Mr. Forlini a debt of gratitude.

Mr. Forlini recently succeeded in obtaining appointments for Mr. Iaderosa with three Macomb County school districts: Chippewa Valley, L'Anse Creuse, and Lakeshore.

On behalf of President, Board of Directors, and membership of the IACS, congratulations to Mr. Iaderosa on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for all that you do to promote the Italian language and culture.