Association of Italian American Educators 2013 Distinguished Italian American Awardees

FRANCESCO PELLEGRINO– Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Francesco Pellegrino is Chief Scientist for Lockheed Martin for integration of transit Chemical, Biological, and Radiological and Nuclear detection systems. He has designed and built High Power Ultrafast Laser Systems and analyzed High Energy Laser Systems for the Department of Defense including high and low-power optical train instrumentation for high energy laser systems. Dr. Pellegrino at Sperry Corporation and for over thirty years worked on High Energy Lasers, Trident Submarines, Seal Delivery Vehicles, Chemical Biological Detection Systems and Positive Train Control Systems where he achieved Chief Scientist status at Lockheed Martin Corporation  He is author of  14 peer-reviewed papers, 2 book chapters, and six  patents.

 DR. ILARIA COSTA – Promotion of Italian

Ms. Costa is the Executive Director of IACE (Italian American Committee on Education) since 2008.  Dr. Costa developed and taught courses targeted to K-12 students, designed to promote the understanding and use of the Italian language and culture through an interdisciplinary approach. She has presented workshops on teaching of foreign languages at State and National conferences. In collaboration with the Education Office of the Consulate General of Italy in New York, she organizes educational/cultural events, international exchange programs for teachers and summer programs for students.  Dr. Costa is the recipient of the” Educator of the Year” Award from the New York City Comptroller’s Office.

CAROL D’AURIA – Special Award in Media and Communication

 Ms. D’Auria is General Assignment Reporter and Anchor at 1010 WINS Radio, New York.  She has reported on all local stories in the New York metropolitan area including crime stories, politics, social issues and education. She is also a TV Journalist reporting on Fox and on MSNBC, the Ten O’clock News on Channel 5, WABC radio, WNEW-AM, WYNY, WGBB and WOR, News 12 Cablevision and The Associated Press.  Ms. D’Auria is also the Co-Founder of the Renaissance School for Children, a privately funded elementary school on Long Island that had a focus on Italian language and culture.  She has received numerous Awards including The New York Press Club Award, The Newswomen’s Club of NY “Front Page” Award, Associated Press and UPI.

DANIELLE CARUTHERS – Educator of the Year Award

Ms. Caruthers is teacher of Italian and Spanish at Garden City School District. On a yearly basis, she organizes various excursions with students including plays, cultural events, restaurants, concerts, culinary schools, and walking tours in Little Italy in the Bronx.  She is a member of AATI (American Association of Teachers of Italian) and LILT (Long Island Language Teachers).  She also contributes to the Commission of Social Justice programs to fight the stereotyping of Italian Americans.  Danielle has traveled extensively to Italy, Spain, South America and Mexico to learn more about the cultural aspects that she incorporates in her classroom. 

 JOHN BATTISTA DE SANTIS – Creative Arts Award

John De Santis is the co-founder, vice president and creative director of Webb Communications, a design and marketing firm based in New York. Mr. De Santis has produced and managed international high-impact creative solutions in the US and Italian markets. He is active in the promotion of Italian culture in New York City. He served on the Board of Directors and is Marketing Adviser to the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce in New York. He is the Artistic Director for the Italian Heritage & Culture Committee of New York; where he directs and develops creative and communications strategies for the committee. He was also posted at United Nations Headquarters as an Art Director in the Department of Public Information.