Thursday, October 1, 2026
For more than 50 years, the Franklin Square Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge has invested in the next generation, awarding scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and community involvement.
That tradition continued this year as the lodge recognized scholarship recipients Alessandra Pinto and Joseph D'Amico during its annual awards presentation on June 17.
According to lodge President Joe Armocida, the scholarship program has been a cornerstone of the organization since its founding in 1971.
The scholarships are open to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of lodge members who reside in New York state. Applicants are evaluated based on grades, essays and teacher recommendations.
To ensure fairness, Armocida said applications are reviewed through an impartial process.
"We have a scholarship committee, and they collect all the paperwork, and they make sure it's complete," he said. "Then they have a group of teachers that are not lodge members, and they handle the applications, and that group, which has no affiliation to the lodge, does the evaluation process of the applications, so it's fully impartial."
Armocida said one of the most impressive aspects of the scholarship program has been the caliber of students who apply.
"What's truly amazing is the talent that these kids have, the amount of activities that they do, in addition to schoolwork," he said.
Pinto, who graduated from Garden City High School and will attend Syracuse University in the fall, plans to major in broadcast journalism.
Both of Pinto's grandparents immigrated from Italy and have been members of the lodge for more than 30 years.
"My dad's parents are the ones who live in Franklin Square," Pinto said. "They played a big role raising me, especially because my parents worked."
In her scholarship essay, Pinto reflected on her family's immigrant experience and the importance of education.
"I talked about my grandparents, and how they didn't get to finish high school, like, they never went to college," she said. "Having the opportunity to have college opportunities be more accessible to me, we really value that."
Pinto encouraged younger students to become involved in activities that interest them.
"I think it's important to just kind of get involved in as many kinds of activities, so that you know what you like," she said.
D'Amico, the recipient of the Luigi Pinto Memorial Scholarship, will attend St. Joseph's University, Long Island, where he plans to study health science while continuing his soccer career.
The grandson of lodge member Lino Fratarcangeli, D'Amico said receiving the scholarship carries special meaning because of his family's Italian heritage.
"For me, the scholarship is really important," D'Amico said. "Obviously, it helps pay for college, easier on my parents for college, and just to be accepted for this scholarship from Sons of Italy means a lot, because my family's big Italian heritage."
He advised future applicants to pursue scholarship opportunities whenever possible.
"Just apply," D'Amico said. "Even if you think you're not good enough to get one, or you don't really have an interesting essay, just apply for a scholarship."
Armocida said the lodge raises money for its scholarship fund through fundraising initiatives and by dedicating a portion of proceeds from lodge events to future awards, helping ensure the program continues for generations to come.
