All funds raised at the gala will continue to advance La Scuola D’Italia’s unparalleled Pre-K–12 Italian English bilingual educational experience, instruction that not only prepares students to succeed in future academic endeavors, but to take their place in a global society.

Founded in 1977 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet the academic needs of Italians living in the New York City metropolitan area, La Scuola d’Italia “Guglielmo Marconi” has established itself as a unique bilingual educational institution building on the best features of the Italian and American educational systems.

The Annual Benefit Dinner has raised more than $2 million since its inception in 1995, and has provided critical support for a wide range of core educational priorities, scholarships, and co-curricular enrichment programs including art, music, technology, and sports. This year’s fundraising priorities include scholarships, enhancement of the preschool program--to include the addition of French as a third language-- and the elementary curriculum, upgrades to the Upper School science lab, and enhanced technology within the high school.  

“We are grateful to the dedicated volunteers who conduct the benefit dinner to raise funds for key initiatives and core programming,” said Maria Palandra, Head of School. “This event brings together La Scuola parents, past parents, teachers, upper-class students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends for an event that displays the warmth and generosity of the school community.”

La Scuola D’Italia Honorees:

Matilda Cuomo, New York City’s former First Lady, has always had a passion to support the youth of New York State. During her time as First Lady, Mrs. Cuomo based her work on the idea of giving back to underserved youth and to her community. She founded Mentoring USA, which provides mentors for youths between the ages of seven and 21, and chaired the Decade of the Child initiative. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, began his professional career in finance at Ferrari, where he served as Head of Business Planning, Director of Ferrari’s Mugello circuit, and Sporting Director of the F1 team. He headed the Direzione Sportiva F1 and was named Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari F1 in 2008, the year the team won the Constructor’s World Championship. From 2009 to 2014, Domenicali represented Ferrari in the F.I.A. World Motor Sport Council, of which he is still a member. He is currently President of the F.I.A. Single Seater Commission. Domenicali has served as Vice President New Business Initiatives at Audi AG since November 2014. Domenicali took on his role as President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini in March 2016.

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La Scuola d’Italia is an independent Italian-English bilingual Pre-K—12 school that provides an exceptional educational experience in the heart of Manhattan. Rooted in the best features of Italian and American instruction systems, it is committed to providing a multicultural education to foster international understanding and openness in order to prepare students to become citizens of the world. Visit lascuoladitalia.org  [2]to learn more or to schedule a tour.