About the Silvio Laccetti Foundation

” …having retired after four decades of teaching, I decided to establish a modestly endowed nonprofit foundation to address educational issues close to my heart. “

Dr. Silvio Laccetti

The Foundation was created as an educational Non-Profit Charitable 501(c)(3) entity by Dr.Silvio Laccetti, a retired Professor of History and Social Sciences at Stevens Tech, Hoboken, NJ.

After a highly successful 40 year career, Dr. Laccetti created the Foundation to present awards and other recognition to individuals or schools in a variety of specialized areas of academic work. By these awards and recognitions, the Foundation seeks to increase public awareness of specific social and educational needs and highlight individual accomplishment in fields often overlooked.

The Foundation selects high schools to participate in its work. Awards are made through these schools, which follow Foundation guidelines to select winners. Usually there is one winner per school per award offered. Generally, student winners receive specially engraved plaques, certificates from cooperating organizations (for example, the Garibaldi Museum, professional sports teams), and write-ups/interviews with local media.

For more information, contact school guidance counselors, or write us at 435 North Tenth St. Fairview, NJ 07022. We are always open to productive association with outside organizations and groups.

Specific areas of concern and dedication in the work of the Silvio Laccetti Foundation include, but may not be limited to:

1. Italian Heritage Awards, The Garibaldi Award – to honor individual high school seniors who have excelled in promoting the Italian-American legacy in public affairs, extra-curricular activities and Italian Studies – and to familiarize the American public with the outstanding accomplishments of Giuseppe Garibaldi.
2. The Sally Awards – to honor Salutatorians, particularly in high schools that do not present any special recognition to these individuals.
3. Classical Studies Awards to high school seniors intending to pursue higher education in Ancient or Medieval history, literature, architecture or art.
4. Wildlife Biology Awards to graduating seniors who wish to pursue further studies in this area, particularly if such work will be undertaken in New Jersey.
5. Encouragement of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and Studies for Native American youth.
6. Outstanding Sportsmanship and Leadership
7. Essay contests for Junior High School students on the aforementioned topics.

Other awards may be presented. All awards may not be presented in any given year.

It is Professor Laccetti’s hope that through the work of his foundation, the importance of these often overlooked areas of academic effort will become more evident.

• High school commencement: Beyond and beneath the pomp and ceremony

  Article in Newsday

  High school commencement: Beyond and beneath the pomp and ceremony
  Rank is important, grades do matter, and the highest levels of achievement — including second-place finishes — must continue to be identified and acknowledged.

  High school graduations offer up the possibility of new beginnings to all attendees – not just the students getting their diplomas.

  Read full Newsday article by Silvio Laccetti →

  

  
  Photo: AP/Sam Roberts