U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas and the leadership at the National Italian American Foundation announced that John Bellotti, of Acton, a student at Adelphi University, received a travel award through NIAF. Bellotti is one of 20 college students from across the nation who will participate in the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery Program, an all-expenses-paid educational and cultural initiative sponsored by NIAF that takes Italian American students to Italy each summer. This year’s tour sent students to Sicily, NIAF’s 2017 Region of Honor, from June 7 to 23.

Now in its 18th year, the program aims to help strengthen the Italian American identity by bonding young Italian Americans to Italy’s culture and heritage through educational tours, museum visits and meetings with local government officials. Students also engage in a community service project further strengthening the ties between the countries. The 14-day program included visits to Taormina, nearby Mount Etna, Siracusa, Palermo and Agrigento. The students also met with members of the NIAF board of directors in Palermo, which also coincided with the board’s meeting in Sicily.