OSIA CSJ District 1 Essay Contest
District 1 CSJ sponsored an essay contest on the subject of immigration, Students at the
Ronkonkoma Middle School in the Conneqout
school district who were in the Italian language classes were given an assignment to interview a family member who had emigrated to
the United States. The students were then asked to write an essay based on the interview incorporating 10 responses to questions about
the immigrant's experiences when coming to America. In addition, they were required to include visuals and/or artifacts. Although this
was a class assignment required by all students regardless of ethnicity, only the Italian-American students were eligible for the
awards provided by OSIA CSJ District 1.
Read the top essays here.
Pictured from left to right is Anne Cajigas (liaison from the Perry Como Lodge); Donatella DiNatale (Italian teacher from the Ronkonkoma
Middle School who
extended her time and expertise in working with us on this project); first place winner Matteo Muscolo; third place winner Abigail Giel;
second place
winner Andrew Scardino; Charles Lucie; and District 1 State Trustee Geraldine Ianello Graham.