The Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan (IACCM) proudly announced the results of its 2023 scholarship competition at its monthly meeting on June 7 at Villa Penna in Sterling Heights. The Honorable Joseph Toia, Macomb County Circuit Court, has been chairman of the IACCM Scholarship Committee for more than twenty years and once again presided over the awards presentations. 

This year $13,500 in scholarships were awarded to nineteen talented young people, one of the largest number of awards to be given out.  Over the past forty years, the IACCM has awarded $600,000 in scholarships. The Judge Lido Bucci award is the highest annual award granted to the most outstanding applicant each year.  The winner of this $1500 award for 2023 is Domenic Klebba.  Domenic is the son of Eric and Jeanna Klebba.  

The other winners are Gianna Agosta (daughter of Anthony and Michelle Agosta), Justin Burke (son of Michael and Christine Burke), Carlina Galli (daughter of Daniel and Gina Galli), Olivia Cervone (daughter of Matthew and Christine Cervone), Abigail Cunningham (daughter of James Cunningham and Annalisa Rubino), Audrey LeDuc (daughter of David and Vinzanna LeDuc), Isabella LeDuc (daughter of David and Vinzanna LeDuc), Sofia LeDuc (daughter of David and Vinzanna LeDuc), Adrianna Lucido (daughter of Tom and Maria Lucido), Dominic Lucido (son of Alex Lucido and Teresa Veltri-Lucido),

Celine Matway (daughter of James Matway and Kathleen Vani),

Carly Moran (daughter of Charles and Erin Moran),

Jonathan Mueller (son of John and Nicole Mueller), Marc Mueller (son of John and Nicole Mueller), Dianna Palazzolo (daughter of Vito and Lynn Palazzolo), Vito Palazzolo (son of Vito and Lynn Palazzolo), Anna Piccinini (daughter of Ned and Sarah Piccinini), and Abigayle Rossow (daughter of Bryan and Jessica Redford).

The main source of funding for the scholarships is an annual golf outing that is well attended and supported by the IACCM membership who recognize and value the importance of honoring and rewarding deserving young Italian Americans for their achievements.

Scholarship awards are presented to outstanding students with excellent academic achievements as well as community and athletic accomplishments.  To be eligible to apply and compete for a scholarship, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

1. A) Applicants must be of Italian ancestry.
2. B) Applicants must be graduating high school seniors, or full-time undergraduate students attending an accredited college or university and working toward a two or four year degree.
3. C) High school applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. College/university applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.