The Festa Italiana 2014 took place on Thursday March 20th at the Bethpage High School Auxiliary Gym under the direction of the BHS Italian Club with advisors Ms. Francesca Calio and Ms. Teresa Piazza. Legions of students stayed on Wednesday evening to help set up the full wall murals, attach classwork from Italian classes to display, set up a cleverly-designed red FIAT photo-booth, courtesy of BHS artist extraordinaire Mr. DeStefano and prepare for the next day's festivities. Italian Club members and other generous students stayed until late into the evening with the advisors to put on their finishing touches.
Thursday at 7:30am doors opened for first period classes with students contributing many specialties from antipasto platters to a variety of primi and secondi (first and second courses) to desserts of pastries, cookies and other specialties that moms and grandmothers took their time and expertise to bake. Frank's Restaurant from North Massapequa catered and raffle prizes were kindly donated by BKSweeney's, Panera Bread, Cascarino's Restaurant and Pizzeria, Charlotte's, Marguerita's Hair & Beauty Salon, Epic and Ezel Nails.
FIAT of Westbury brought a FIAT 500 for students to examine Italian design, style and economy which proved to be a big hit with the auto enthusiasts in the student body.
Festa Italiana 2014 T-Shirts were designed by Jenni Sacklow and distributed to all Italian students who partook in the festivities. DJ Italo Talarico from It's Party Entertainment (http://djitsparty.com/) provided an upbeat playlist of new and old Italian favorites that delighted the students, parents, teachers, administrators and guests from the community. Mrs. Jean Gagliardo and Mrs. Maryanne Rispoli from The Sons of Italy Lodge graciously joined the festivities and were positively impressed on the involvement of so many students and the volunteering from community mothers.
Once again, it is important to recognize the concerted efforts of teachers, students, staff in all departments from custodial to kitchen to support to technology in addition to the support and presence of parents that combine to create a successful event. Our deep appreciation to all who helped to make this annual event once again a memorable success! Tantissimi auguri!
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