Page 4 • Wednesday , October 13 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette
Columbus Day in town
COLUMBUS , from Page 1 ing the indigenous people of the West Indies for full rights as Spanish citizens . He sailed to the Caribbean to rescue the Tainos from enslavement and capture from the Carib tribes , thus creating the first underground railroad . He actively fought against imperial expansion from Spain … Columbus initiated more than 500 years of cultural , economic and political relations between the old and new world , starting a perpetual change in science , technology , law , art , music and literature ,” Scardino said .
Club President Nick LaGuardia , who followed Scardino , had a message for attendees .
“ If we could just take a few things away from today , be proud of your heritage , take care of your family and , overall , just be a good person ,” LaGuardia said .
The Rev . David Rivera offered a benediction , and asked those in attendance to say a special prayer for the Rev . Joe Capella , New Jersey state chaplain of the Order of the Sons of Italy .
“ He is in the hospital , and you know that he has very delicate health ; so , if we can , remember him in a very special way in today ’ s prayer . He is very dedicated to this group , to this town , to his heritage , and he ’ s a very close , personal friend of mine as well ,” Rivera said .
Rep . Jeff Van Drew ( R-2 ) was also on hand , and spoke about the lessons he learned being the first non-Italian to marry into his wife ’ s family .
“ I learned how to eat , because evidently I really didn ’ t know how to eat before . I learned , in all seriousness , how to laugh , how to love , the importance of family , the importance of coming together , the importance of sharing , the importance of faith — all these and many other things , and also learned some words that hopefully were not addressed towards me ,” Van Drew said .
Van Drew also had a Congressional proclamation detailing the works of the Sons of Italy , which he presented to LaGuardia .
“ You ’ ve done great things for Atlantic County , for South Jersey , and we appreciate it ; it ’ s good stuff . This is actually something that comes from the House of Representatives ; it ’ s the highest honor I can give you ,” Van Drew said .
Councilman Jonathan Oliva , himself a member of the Sons of Italy , appeared on behalf of the mayor and town council , and noted that one does not need to be Italian to celebrate Italian-American heritage .
“ It can be something that you learn , as it was with my mother — it was something that she learned . Let ’ s all take a little bit of time today to learn , take it in and just enjoy the day ,” Oliva said .
Oliva was followed by the Order Sons of Italy New Jersey State President Diane Santoro .
“ Be extremely proud of your Italian heritage , Christopher Columbus , everything that he represents and everything he has done ,” Santoro said .
Scardino then gave an introduction for the guests of honor : Mario , Nola and John Massarelli .
“ Mario has done so much for this community , and people really don ’ t know — but we can start right here ,” Scardino said , detailing several charitable works .
Nola Massarelli took to the microphone next and spoke about her father , Mario .
“ I ’ m proud to be a part of my family . My dad works very , very hard , and , since he ’ s always at work , a lot of people don ’ t know much about him ,” she said .
Massarelli said that her father worked at his parents ’ roadside market in Egg Harbor City , and received his first concrete mold when he was 12 years old .
“ The first mold was a small Grecian urn , and this urn is still a part of our line that we make today ,” Massarelli said .
Massarelli said that her father officially started Massarelli Lawn Ornaments in 1972 — when he was 17 — on a three-acre parcel of land in Egg Harbor City . The company moved to its present location on
South Egg Harbor Road in 1994 . Massarelli said that what her father does is not work for him .
“ It ’ s his passion , and his passion for perfection is what turned a dream into his 50-year success story ,” Massarelli said .
Henry Amendolia then spoke on behalf of Knights of Columbus Pallotti Council 3471 .
“ As a member of the Italian community and the Knights of Columbus , I just want to say , as far as Christopher Columbus , I ’ m proud to have his heritage , and our contribution to the United States and to the Americas ,” Amendolia said .
Program co-chair Charlie Sbarra — who also serves as both the lodge ’ s and the state ’ s historian — followed Amendolia .
“ If you take anything from today , let it be this : don ’ t be silent when it comes to your culture and heritage . Keep in mind all the sacrifices that your ancestors made to get us where we are today ,” Sbarra said . LaGuardia closed the event . “ This is great to see that we continue to keep the traditions alive and keep that going . Thank you all for being here , and we ’ ll continue to do this year after year ,” La- Guardia said .
SJa names Cappuccio president
HAMMONTON — According to a press release issued on October 10 , Saint Joseph Academy ( SJA ) “ enthusiastically ” announced Stephen Cappuccio has been named President and Head of School . Cappuccio is a highly regarded educational leader who has demonstrated a consistent and proven record over the course of his 18 years at Saint Augustine Preparatory School in Richland , the release said .
Since 2019 , Cappuccio has served as the Dean of Academics at St . Augustine Prep where he oversaw the academic program and was responsible for the supervision and evaluation of 80 employees , the release said .
“ Among other things , Cappuccio was responsible for the academic curriculum , college counseling and student services , and other student development programs including several innovative and unique educational programs such as Saint Augustine ’ s Third Semester ( experiential learning program ), Veritas Speaker Program and Caritas Social Service Program .
Cappuccio also served as Dean of Enrollment Management for nearly 10 years . In this role , his responsibilities spanned all facets of enrollment management which included admissions , financial aid , transportation , summer programs , marketing and communications . During this time , Cappuccio played a significant role increasing enrollment year-over-year to where it stands today at nearly 700 students ,” SJA ’ s release said .
Moreover , as part of the senior leadership team and a member of the Academic Council , he was a key contributor to Saint Augustine ’ s curriculum and program development and collaborated on all personnel , programmatic and financial decisions . He was also instrumental in the school ’ s recent launch of its 8th Grade Initiative , according to the release . “ Stephen Cappuccio embodies all the qualities that SJA was looking for in a President and Head of School . He ’ s a dynamic , strategic and steady leader who has a strong passion for education and student development . His record at the Prep resoundingly demonstrates his significant abilities as a strong Catholic leader ,” Chairman of SJA ’ s Board of Trustees Jeff Umosella said .
In addition to his vast experience as an administrator , Cappuccio has developed and taught various history and social studies courses and chaired the history department at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School earlier in his career .
“ I am humbled by the opportunity that St . Joseph Academy has presented me . I know this school community to be one of passion and I am most excited to work with the students , faculty and all stakeholders in making St . Joseph Academy live its mission and to deliver an exceptional values-based educational experience to young men and women in Southern New Jersey ,” Cappuccio said in the release .
The release also included Cappuccio ’ s educational background . Cappuccio earned a master ’ s degree in school leadership from Wilmington University where he graduated with honors and his bachelor ’ s degree in History , with a minor in theology and education , from Mount St . Mary ’ s University .
“ Please join us in welcoming Stephen Cappuccio as SJA ’ s President and Head of School and as a member of the Wildcat Family ,” SJA ’ s release said .