The Dark Horse: Marco Benvenuti
Even next to the most eccentric entrepreneurs, Marco Benvenuti is an outlier. He’s the guy in the red poncho in a sea of suits, darting nimbly between disparate topics of basketball, musical theater, and writing code. He’s the bull in the china shop—only this bull is driving an Alfa Romeo. But don’t let his showmanship fool you. “To do what I’ve do...
Student Exchange Series: Irene Stello from Italy
For Sequim High School transplant Irene Stello, coming to America as an exchange student is her first big adventure abroad. While Sequim may be considered “a small town” in America, the city in Italy where Stello comes from is smaller. “When I came here it was a really big shock,” she said. “Everything is really big: cars, streets, food, everything...
Peninsula teacher chronicles his Italian travels
People who’ve lived in the Gig Harbor area for any length of time — especially those who were students at Peninsula High School or Marcus Whitman Junior High between 1982 and 2010 — know about Paul Spadoni. He was the journalism teacher and advisor to PHS’s student newspaper, “Peninsula Outlook” and under his leadership, the paper was inducted into...
Visiting Italy from the classroom
Imagine taking a class trip to Italy without having to leave the classroom. Three Ph.D. students in the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching program made it possible with the help of virtual reality. Margherita Berti, Stefano Maranzana and Jake Monzingo hosted an event Tuesday, Nov. 28 that allowed undergraduate students enrolled in Italian 101...
Las Vegas parla italiano grazie a un gruppo di volontari
“Guardali, che belli che sono”, mi dice la mia amica mentre osserva i suoi figli giocare con altri bambini. Un gruppo chiassoso, c’è anche qualche adolescente. “Sono nati a Las Vegas, New York, in Messico, parlano inglese, spagnolo ma soprattutto italiano”. La conversazione avviene in un parco di Las Vegas, se fuori ci sono ancora 30 gradi ed è qua...
Do you know about our Free Italian Language Programs?
Scuola Italiana di Portland offers two free ongoing programs every term for Italian Language lovers of all ages to improve their Italian language skills – Mommy and Me Playgroup and the Monthly Italian Language Bookclub. Mommy and Me PlaygroupIo e la Mamma is a free playgroup for ages one to four held on most Friday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00 am...
ASU Italian department lets students eat their education
Fresh pasta, ideally ravioli with ricotta and spinach. Pizza and antipasto, made from organic ingredients sourced from local farms. These are some iconic Italian foods that Juliann Vitullo wants to share with students inside and outside of the classroom. Arizona State University's School of International Letters and Cultures is most closely associa...
Cross country is helping Italian exchange student adjust to life in Dallas, Oregon
Before leaving for the United States, Laura Oppedisano made a promise to herself. “I have to be brave,” she said. “I always wanted to travel the world.” Oppedisano left her home in Bergamo, Italy, a few weeks ago eager for new experiences in a foreign country. She admits it’s a bit scary, but Oppedisano has enjoyed her time so far as an exchange st...
Italian American Cultural Club holds luau, to award memorial scholarships at Monday’s meeting
The highlight of the Italian American Cultural Club’s June 5 meeting was a Hawaiian luau with the meal featuring a roasted pig with all the trimmings and entertainment provided by Tuika’s Polynesian Island Magic. The entertainers celebrated members’ birthdays and taught several members the hula dance. The club’s hula hoop winners were Theresa Copp...
Ciao and change
Next year, Oregon State University will be undergoing some changes in their language department. While there are multiple different ways to say hello, there are just as many ways to say goodbye. This next academic year, Oregon State University will be saying goodbye to a small handful of second-language course opportunities that have previously bee...
Scuola Italiana Announces New Board of Directors President, President Emeritus, and Board Members
Scuola Italiana di Portland announces the appointment of Alessandra Gardino Montgomery as board president and Robert Morse, Sally Hudson, and Melissa Egizio Slechta as new board directors. Departing president and founding member, Grazia Solazzi, has been named Founder and Board President Emeritus for her significant role in establishing and leading...
Scuola Italiana to Launch First Italian Language Kindergarten Program in Oregon
On September 5, 2017, the Italian School of Portland will officially open the doors on its new, Italian language kindergarten program. It is the first such program in the state of Oregon. Classes will be held at the school’s NW Portland location, 1542 NW 14th Ave, which also houses the preschool and playgroup programs. The half-day program is Mon...