NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL
JUSTICE
PROUDLY SPONSORS
THE JOHN DABBENE ITALIAN HERITAGE ESSAY CONTEST
To: NYS Lodge Presidents and Lodge Members
If you are a member in good standing
in one of our local lodges and have a child, grandchild,
niece or nephew who will be in grades 7 through 12 in
September 2026, that child
is eligible to enter our
The goal of this essay contest is to
help students better understand their Italian heritage
and culture. To that end, we hope that as parents and
grandparents, aunts and uncles, you will
sponsor and encourage a family member to participate.
The interaction between you and the student may present
an opportunity to further enhance your family's
knowledge of your Italianheritage.
A winner will be chosen from each district throughout the State from each grade category. Each winner will receive a $200 award for his or her essay.
Sponsoring lodge presidents will be responsible for validating their member's standing within the lodge by signing the Application form.
Download the instructions and application form by clicking HERE