On Friday March 12 the Scuola d'Italia Guglielmo Marconi will host its annual benefit gala at Cipriani 42nd Street Restaurant [2]. Prestigious guests, fine food, excellent wines, and a live performance by the students of the Liceo will make of the evening a memorable one.  The Gala, that has become a traditional appointment for the Scuola's friends and supporters, is meant to collect funds to finance the numerous educational and cultural activities the only Italian-American institution in the US organizes in favor of its students throughout the Academic year.

Offering an entire academic curriculum in both English and Italian and an international education that constantly refers back to both Italian and American cultures, the school was founded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs [3] and is today legally recognized by the Italian Ministry of Public Education [4]and chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. [5] Its competitive, outstanding educational programs make of it one of the milestones of Italian culture in NYC.

The Gala will be an occasion for everyone of us to support and back the efforts made by the Scuola in racing the citizens of the new global world, where a multi-cultural background, and multi-faceted skills have become the key to success.

As the Italian Ambassador to the United States Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata will give his introductory remarks, guests will be invited to enjoy one of Cipriani's famous cocktails and participate to a silent auction, where products by some of the most prestigious Italian and American brands will be assigned to the best bidder. Works made by the children and the students of the Scuola will be on auction as well, having shown in the past editions to be particularly appreciated by the betters.

Laura Savini, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at WLIW [6], will be the Master of Ceremonies of the Gala and will guide the guests through the most relevant moments of the evening. Among them, the granting of an honoree to Daniele Budini, president of the Alexander Bodini Foundation and member of the Board of the Scuola, for "his outstanding commitment to education and promotion of the Italian culture".

Cipriani Restaurant is one of the most famous restaurants in New York, and is well-known for offering a memorable Italian dining experience to its clients. On that evening, at 8pm, the guests of the Scuola will have their own, as they will enjoy a live performance by the students of the Liceo in this elegant and refined frame. Guest of honor Professor Stefania Giannini, Rector of the University for Foreigners in Perugia [7], and the Dean of the Scuola Anna Fiore, will join them for dinner, before the dance floor will be opened for everyone's fun.

The gala is only one of the several events the Scuola organizes throughout the academic year. Both Middle School and Highschool students are involved in a series of projects, that range from inhouse laboratories to cultural tours organized within the city of New York or abroad. Frequent occasions of cultural contacts with Italy are also promoted. Just to mention a couple of them, the recent exchange program with a group of students  coming from "La Farnesina [8]" Highschool in Rome, and the series "Incontri", that periodically sees some of the best and most renowned Italian artists exhibiting in New York to support the institution's educational efforts.

The Gala is a yearly success for the Scuola. "Every donation is  particularly appreciated and shows us that by offering culture at its highest levels we can go on looking at a bright future for both the Scuola and our students, the professionals of the future", commented Dean Fiore.

All of those who wish to attend should R.S.V.P. at [email protected], or call (212) 369-4433.