Italian Language and Culture Day--an annual, signature collaboration between the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America and ITANJ (Italian Teachers Association of New Jersey)--invites middle and high school students of Italian from around the state to develop and perform  ‘in italiano’ original skits, dance routines or musical numbers around a pre-determined cultural theme.  “La Canzone Italiana” (A Celebration of  Italian Pop Music) was a particularly popular theme, as evidenced by the unprecedented number of schools and students who joined us on Wednesday, March 30^th, in the 7^th floor Conference Center of University Hall, packing the venue to maximum capacity!

If you were anywhere in the vicinity of University Hall last Wednesday morning, you undoubtedly would have heard the resounding chorus of almost 500 voices enthusiastically singing the Italian National Anthem, a tribute with particular meaning this year as we celebrate the 150^th Anniversary of the Unification Italy.

Reflecting on this, ITANJ’s 11^th annual program, Organizing Committee Chair Lisa Manfrè concluded:  “The Italian Language and Culture Competition that took place at MSU last week was indeed a great success!   Almost 450 students from 17 schools from all over the state of NJ participated in celebrating a beautiful part of the Italian culture, “la canzone Italiana!”  I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the day—and I cannot wait to do it all over again next year!”

Elisa Coccia, VP of the co-sponsoring organization, Coccia Foundation, and member of the MSU Coccia Institute Advisory Board, shared Lisa’s enthusiasm.

“We could not have been more delighted to see University Hall filled with such energized students and teachers. To enjoy the students’ singing, dancing and speaking Italian, was simply wonderful.  Coccia Institute Director, Dr. Mary Ann Re, her Program Assistant Victoria Buchner, and the committee members of ITANJ, outdid themselves!”

Grazie mille, to the ITANJ ILCD Committee (Silvana Berardo, Victoria Buchner, Annette D’Amato, Vita Morales, Maria Papaleo and Catherine Vignale); the Amici della Cultura Italiana club volunteers and their Faculty Advisor, Prof. Barbara Carbone;  and a very special thank you to our splendid ‘emcee’ for the day, Long Branch teacher of Italian Angela Borelli.

Italian Language and Culture Day: La Canzone Italiana
2011 Performance Competition Winners 

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

1^st  Place         Grover Cleveland Middle School                           
Caldwell, NJ

Teacher: Lisa Manfrè

Song & Artist:  Doppiamente fragili/Anna Tatangelo

2^nd Place         Frelinghuysen Middle School                                
Morristown, NJ

Teacher:  Giovanna Ricucci

Song & Artist:  Bella Belinda/Gianni Morandi

3^rd Place          Ocean Township Intermediate School                   
Ocean, NJ

Teacher: Susanna Fischer and Denise Amato

Song & Artist: Tu vuò fa' l’americano/Renato Carosone

HIGH SCHOOLS

1^st Place          Saint Peter’s Preparatory High School                 
Jersey City, NJ

Teacher: Rosalie Romano

Song & Artist: Il cielo è sempre più blu/Rino Gaetano

2^nd  Place        Elizabeth High School Upper Academy               
Elizabeth, NJ

Teacher: Guido Morsella

Song & Artist: Sarà perché ti amo/Ricchi & Poveri

3^rd Place          Parsippany Hills High School                             
Morris Plains, NJ 

Teacher: Vita Morales

Song & Artist: Laura non c’è/NEK

Congratulations to ALL our participating schools, several of which joined us for the first time this year!  Hoping to welcome you back next year!

SCHOOLS:                                                TEACHERS:

Columbia High School                                  Domenico Tancredi

Elizabeth High School Upper Academy          Guido Morsella

Ewing Township High School                         Lou Thomas

Frelinghuysen Middle School                 Marcella DiBenedetto and
                                                                 Giovanna Ricucci

Grover Cleveland Middle School                    Lisa Manfrè

Hawthorne High School                                Marisa Margarucci

Holmdel High School                                    Elizabeth Malolepczy

Long Branch High School                             Angela Borelli

Ocean Township Intermediate School       Susanna Fischer and
                                                                      Denise Amato

Ocean Township High School                        Regina Basilone

Parsippany High School                                Angela Norton

Parsippany Hills High School                         Vita Morales

Pascack Hills High School                             Vita Guardabascio

Passaic Valley High School                      Carmela Monzo and
                                                                   Maria Papaleo

Shore Regional High School                           Ellen Minze

St. Peter’s Preparatory School                       Rosalie Romano

West Essex High School                                Lucia Bazzarelli