Dr. Francesca Verga is vice chairman of the board of La Scuola d’Italia Guglielmo Marconi in New York and chair of the annual Gala. Doctor of training, he has lived in the United States for many years and plays his role in the school voluntarily. In view of the new edition of the Gala – the main fundraising event of the institute – tells how the evening is born, to those who are destined for the funds collected and what are the challenges of a bilingual and parity school in the heart of Manhattan.
What is your role within the Gala organization?
I’m vice chairman of the board of the school and chair of the Gala. I work with a committee of about ten to twelve volunteers: some are current mothers of the school, other former mothers, other still friends who support me. It is a completely pro bono job: I am not an employee of the school and I do not perceive compensation. I am mainly involved in fundraising, involving private supporters and companies.
The Gala is based on some pillars, such as excellence, leadership and philanthropic impact. How are they represented during the evening?
Through the awards we enlist. This year we have four honors, each linked to a different field.
Professor Silvana Riggio receives the Academy and Scientific Distinction Award: he is the only Italian among the winners and represents academic excellence.
Mario Di Leonardo is rewarded for his philanthropic commitment. At 93 years he decided to allocate a substantial part of his assets to different institutions, including our school, creating an endowment, a fund of financial endowment, which will guarantee an income over time. It is the first time that the school benefits from such a gesture.
Guy Chiarello receives the Distinguished Leadership in Business and Finance Award. He is a successful Italian-American in the financial world who chose to concretely support the school. Accepting honor also means contributing in a tangible way, with a donation in favor of activities and scholarships.
Finally, John Calvelli, president of the National Italian American Foundation, among the most important Italian-American organizations here in America, receives the Excellence in Institutional and Foundation Leadership Award.
We will also have a Special Appearance: actress Julia Fox, our former pupil, who will be present as Distinguished Alumna. For us it is important to value the path of our students even after school.
What are the funds raised during the Gala?
The Gala is the main annual fundraising event and serves two key objectives.
The first is to support the functioning and good performance of the school: teachers’ salaries, operational expenses, ordinary management. We are a non-profit and we receive only a limited contribution from the Italian state: the rest stands on the straights and fundraising.
The second objective is scholarships. Being a bilingual preparatory school – the only one in Manhattan with a double Italian and American program – we want to guarantee access to families who cannot fully support the right. Scholarships are an essential tool to maintain this opening.
Does the fundraiser run out with the Gala or continues during the year?
It continues all year round. From 1 January to 31 December. It’s the lifeblood of the school.
In addition to the Gala, we organize other events: evenings dedicated to parents, initiatives of the Parents Association as bake salt or Christmas sales. We are also working to access state grants and funds in the state of New York, presenting educational projects and plans that can be funded. We also collaborate with private foundations and individual donors.
What kind of school is La Scuola d’Italia in Manhattan?
We are a prep school that accompanies students from three to eighteen years. We offer both the Italian and American curriculum and, in the last two years, also the International Baccalaureate for those who choose that path.
Straights are significantly lower than many other private schools in Manhattan, often almost half. We do not have the same campus structures very large or large sports facilities, but the academic level is very high. Our students are admitted to leading universities, both in the United States and Europe: from Bocconi to LUISS, from the London School of Economics to other international universities.
Organize the Gala for many years. Is there an edition you remember in particular?
I’ve been organizing the Gala since 2000. Every year is a challenge: the goal is always to raise as much funds as possible to support the school. Last year we achieved a record result. This year I am a second year as sole manager and I hope to overcome that goal. Signals are encouraging.
Are there any news in this edition?
This year we decided to focus on the Italian-American world. There is a strong interest, especially among the new generations, to rediscover their roots. Many honors are Italian-American and show great generosity and involvement.
I also hope that large Italian companies are increasingly present not only with symbolic donations, but with structured support. The school needs partners who believe in the educational project and accompany it over time.
L’articolo The Gala of the Italian School in New York, between scholarships and new Italian-American alliances proviene da IlNewyorkese.
