Profiles

Casa Italia honored tireless community leader Jo Ann Serpico as Woman of the Year at its Golden Anniversary Gala on Feb. 8 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. “Jo Ann has been a pillar of the community for decades,” says Casa Chairman Peter Volpe. “We’re so lucky to have her as a board member, and we’re so honored that she has agreed to be our Woman of the Year.” Jo Ann has been immersed in the activities of the community since birth, thanks to the unwavering involvement of her father, Joseph R. Salerno. “My father was a member of …

Mario Salerno has been elected president of the Calabresi in America Organization. A member for eight years, Salerno served as an advisor for two years and worked his way up through the vice presidential ranks before being elected president. “Being involved has given me the opportunity to share my Calabrese background with others and celebrate it as well,” he explains. “I like being able to provide outreach not only to other Calabrese but to members of other Italian-American organizations.” Being elected president is both on honor and an opportunity for Salerno, who follows in the footsteps of his father, Frank, …

Stan Kuczynski has been elected president of the Chicago West Suburban Chapter of UNICO National. Kuczynski was inducted into the organization in 2014, and served as recording secretary and chairman of the Scholarship, Fundraising and Bylaws committees before ascending to the presidency. “To be president of this 61-year-old organization comes with a lot of history and responsibility,” he says. “I only hope I can live up to the expectations of the generations that came before me.” Kuczynski says that he joined the chapter because he wanted to be a part of an organization that not only did charitable and patriotic …

Paul Loparco has been elected president of the Illinois-Wisconsin Grand Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. A member of OSDIA since 1999, Loparco served as trustee, vice president and president of Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700 before ascending to the state presidency. “It’s a big step for me and I still have a lot to learn, but I’m certain I can handle it,” he says. “My goals are to increase membership, continue the OSDIA mission, and inform people about all of our wonderful charitable activities.” Loparco joined the local lodge at the invitation of a friend, and he …

Reflecting on his upbringing in Melrose Park, recently elected Willow Springs Mayor John M. Carpino says, “I realize when my grandparents immigrated they helped one another. The community came together and I never forgot the need to help others.” Carpino was raised by his mother and grandmother, his grandfather and father having passed away while he was still a child. He attended Holy Cross High School and Triton Junior College before embarking on a 40-year career in law enforcement. He worked his way up from cadet to officer to detective for the Addison Police. He continued to work his way …

Quando eravamo in Italiano 3, non vedevamo l’ora di continuare nella classe di AP l’anno dopo. Specialmente sapendo che nella classe di AP avremmo studiato molto della cultura Italiana. Veniamo offerti molte cose autentiche durante la nostra lezione. Rimaniamo interessati alla lezione. È motivo d’orgoglio sapere che ci stiamo preparando per l’esame di AP in primavera. Siamo fortunati ad avere l’opportunità di studiare l’Italiano a livello liceale. Non ci sono tante scuole che lo offrono, e quando altri studenti sentono che Maine South ha questi corsi rimangono sorpresi. Tutti noi in questa classe siamo diventati piccoli adulti e ringraziamo la …

Quest’anno Lisa M. Turano, JD, MBA VP Legale di Turano, e Melissa Medina, Comunicazioni, Coordinatore Assunzioni, sono venuti a visitare gli studenti a Indian Trail Junior High School a Addison. Sono venuti a visitare gli studenti in 8° grado nella classe d’Italiano. Questo è il secondo anno la famiglia Turano è venuta a parlare della loro conoscenza e l’amore per il pane. Loro hanno approfondito con gli studenti quali sono i valori dell’attività commerciale. Hanno anche condiviso le molte carriere che Turano ha avuto. Gli studenti hanno posto domande e sono stati in grado di comprendere meglio la cultura Italiana …

Il maggio scorso, il nostro liceo ha ricevuto una donazione generosa dalla famiglia Capitanini. Con la donazione, l’aula italiana è stata dedicata alla famiglia. La famiglia Capitanini voleva dedicare l’aula d’italiano al suo padre defunto, Franklin Delano Capitanini. Ha frequentato Fenwick e si è laureato nel 1950. Al Fenwick ha praticato la corsa, ha giocato a pallacanestro, e a football americano ma non ha studiato italiano perché Fenwick non ha offerto l’italiano fino al 2000. Adesso, moltissimi studenti studiano italiano in quest’aula dove imparano in classe e partecipano al circolo italiano dopo scuola. I corsi e il circolo sono coinvolgenti …

La nostra settimana con gli studenti italiani era una che non possiamo dimenticare. Durante il nostro tempo insieme non siamo ritornati alle nostre case prima di 11 o 12 perché ci stavamo divertendo molto. Durante quel tempo, siamo andati a una partita di Football Americano, Six Flags, Dave ‘n Busters, Chicago, Sonny Acres e la casa di uno studente dove abbiamo ballato molto! Noi, gli Americani, eravamo entusiasti di mostrare gli studenti italiani la vita Americana, e pensiamo che gli studenti italiani abbiano avuto un’esperienza divertentissimo. In Marzo, andremo a Triggiano, nella provincia di Bari e nella regione di Puglia. …

Retired CFO Mark M. Corrado will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie optional installation dinner on Jan. 18 at the Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Michael Russotto at 630-222-2686. Corrado has been a member of the Columbian Club since 2006, but he was introduced to the organization more than 40 years ago when his father, Albert, first joined. “While it took a few years for me to follow in his footsteps, I always saw how proud he was to be a member and the joy it brought him,” Corrado explains. “This was …