Current students, faculty and staff, and generations of alumni gathered on January 13 to celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of the Saint Peter’s Prep Italian Club.
Founded in 1976, shortly after Prep began officially offering Italian as a language for study, Prep’s Italian Club has contributed to the vibrant cultural life on-campus through events, through learning and sharing opportunities, and through trips and outings for five decades.
The evening began with reunions and appetizers in the Hammer Heritage Room, lit by a projected slide featuring the original Italian Club, then moderated by Sig. Leonard Fordellone, from the 1976 yearbook.
Following an opening prayer and a group recitation of the “Our Father” in Italian led by the Rev. Lito Salazar, S.J., attendees heard from Dr. Ralph Aquila, ’75, who was instrumental in creating a petition to begin Italian classes at Prep; Mr. Alex Corrado, ’79, former Italian Club president and a member since its inaugural year in 1976; and Giuseppe Giglio, ’87 of the Guidance and College Counseling Department, who also spoke on behalf of his brother, Carmelo Giglio, ’76, an original member of the club.
The festivities then continued in the Shalloe Dining Room with dinner, cake, and a rotating slideshow featuring photos from the last 50 years.
We thank current Italian Club moderator Ms. Rosalie Romano of the World Languages Department, as well as everyone who helped organized the evening and make it such a success.
Alumni: To stay in the know about happenings at Prep, be sure to update your contact info today at spprep.org/lostmarauders.
Access a full photo gallery here.