Jessica Malpede was crowned Queen of the Columbus Day parade at a glittering pageant on Sept. 20 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “‘Exciting’ doesn’t begin to describe the 2015 Columbus Day Queen Pageant,” JCCIA Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico says. “Enthusiasm radiated from the family members, friends and community leaders who attended, and the young women were perfect examples of confidence, courage and leadership.” Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment chaired the event and served as master of ceremonies, and Marilyn Fredericks handled the choreography. “Ron and Marilyn did a spectacular job of running this year’s pageant,” Serpico says. …

The Comboni Missionaries will honor Umberto “Tony” Turano as Man of the Year on Nov. 21 at Porretta’s Banquets in Chicago. (708-354-1999) “Tony Turano is a supremely successful businessman who has never forgotten his roots,” says the Rev. Peter Premarini, MCCJ, superior of the Comboni Mission Center in LaGrange Park. “We have chosen to honor him in appreciation of all the generous contributions that he and his family have made to the community as well as their support of the work of the Comboni Missionaries.” Tony and his brothers, Renato and Giancarlo, were born to Mariano and Assunta Turano in …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation will honor Ron Onesti as Man of the Year and Sonny Nicotera as Humanitarian of the Year on Nov. 21 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (708-212-1051) “Ron and Sonny are cut of the same cloth,” says IAET President Vito D’Ambrosio. “They brings passion, skill and intelligence to bear on preserving our heritage and they’re extremely generous with their time, talent and resources. They represent the best that our community has to offer.” IAET 2015 Man of the Year Ron Onesti Ron Onesti is an entertainment industry powerhouse recognized as an innovative leader across …

The Scholarship Committee of UNICO National recently announced its 2015 awards. Among the nearly two-dozen grants bestowed were a dozen nursing scholarships, a pair of literary awards and a pair of awards to help fund studying abroad. “While we assist talented students to realize their aspirations, we encourage our recipients to become exceptional, contributing members of society,” committee Chair Joan Tidona explains. “As our program continues to expand, it is clear that UNICO National recognizes education as an essential investment in the future.” The Scholarship Committee presented the following scholarships in 2015: Major Don S. Gentile Memorial Scholarship — Matthew …

            Umberto Davi of Willowbrook, a principal in the Western Springs Law Firm of Umberto S. Davi P.C., was installed as president of the Illinois State Bar Association at the organization’s 139th Annual Meeting on June 19 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. “Umberto is not only a lawyer’s lawyer, he is a gentleman’s gentleman,” Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride stated as he swore Davi in as president. “He brings to the presidency a classic combination of leadership, professionalism, humor, compassion, and the heart and soul of a hardworking small law …

Dr. Victoria Ursitti of Arlington Heights was recently elected to the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Dental Society, a professional association of over 7,000 members. She was installed into office at the Society’s Annual Session at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Ursitti received her Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University in Nutritional Sciences and then earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Tufts University in Boston. She spent two years in New York City practicing General Dentistry at Cornell University-New York Hospital before completing her advanced specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry …

Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Italy’s first—and only—female Rabbi, as well as the country’s only non-Orthodox Rabbi, spoke at the McHenry County Jewish Congregation (MCJC) in Crystal Lake in November. Her topic was “The Hidden Jews of Sicily and Calabria.” Rabbi Barbara is the founder of the B’nai Anusim movement in Southern Italy. B’nai Anusim is an initiative to help the hidden Jews of Calabria and Sicily, whose ancestors were forced into Christian conversion 500 years ago during the Inquisition, return to their Jewish heritage. Historians estimate that prior to the Inquisition, more than 50 percent of the population of Southern Italy was Jewish. …

  Hometown chanteuse Iliana Incandela knows how to win hearts and bring home trophies. After being crowned Columbus Day Queen and earning a spot as the Chicago representative on the CW’s new star-search show “The Next,” she launched a national singing career that has been gaining momentum ever since. Last year, fans voted her into the top 10 of the People’s Voice Contest of the International Songwriters Competition, out of 320-plus entries. She also earned an honorable mention in the overall competition out of 18,000 songs submitted from 118 countries worldwide. For more, click here.      

Joseph Martucci Jr. was honored as Man of the Year by the Italian American Police Association on Nov. 7 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Frank DiMaria, second vice president of the FOP Lodge 7, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the event. (708-268-1495) “As a lifelong union organizer, Joe has had a significant positive impact on the quality of life of countless law enforcement officers and other union members throughout the Midwest,” says IAPA President Phil Tenerelli. Joe was born in Chicago and grew up in the Austin District on the city’s Far West Side. The son of Joseph …

  On Sept. 2, board members and foundation trustees of the Columbian Club of Chicago presented Thomas Regan, S.J., dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and Arthur Lurigio, Ph.D., senior associate dean for faculty, College of Arts and Sciences of Loyola University Chicago, with a check to complete the club’s $50,000 pledge to support the creation of a Italian American Studies program at Loyola. The Columbian Club’s gift capped a successful $500,000 fundraising initiative to endow a professorship within Loyola’s College of Arts and Sciences to research, preserve and promote the Italian American experience, history and culture.