The Silvio Laccetti Foundation of Fairview, NJ has presented its prestigious Garibaldi Award to five New Jersey students for 2021. The accolade is given to students who have demonstrated high achievement in high school Italian Studies while also serving as models for school or community service. Over two dozen of these awards have been given since the program's inception in 2017

This year, Garibaldi winners were selected from Junior year applicants in order to afford these students opportunities to participate in Foundation projects during their senior year. One of the main efforts of the Foundation is to create and highlight public efforts to safeguard the environment of Venice, Italy - particularly its canals and lagoons.

In the spring of 2021, the Silvio Laccetti Foundation was a driving force in arranging the first of its kind trans-Atlantic link-up of schools in Italy with schools in New Jersey- in real time. Students presented their research on Venice's eco-cultural issues. In the fall, this program will be expanded to include more schools in the US and abroad.