2026 Scholarship Recipients

Our Society held its annual Awards Luncheon on Sunday, May 3, 2026 and was proud to present scholarships to seven outstanding university students who will be studying in Italy over the next year.  This event is a highlight of the year’s activities and would not be possible without the support of all who have contributed to our Scholarship Fund.  A special “thank you” goes to members of the Scholarship Committee and to our Board for their hard work and continued support to make this occasion memorable for all who attended.

We had the privilege of awarding scholarships to seven exceptional students who will be continuing their academic journeys in Italy over the coming year:

Scholarships Awarded To:

• Abi Newell (University of Denver) – Art Conservation & Italian Language, Florence
• Annika Alexy (University of Denver) – Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute, Florence
• Aurora Dallocchio (University of Colorado Boulder) – Umbra Institute, Perugia
• Gia Miller (University of Colorado Boulder) – CEA CAPA Program, Florence
• Glenda Luck (University of Colorado Boulder) – Composer-in-Residence, Orvieto Musica
• Lyle Raymond (University of Colorado Boulder) – Summer Internship, IES Milan
• Sevastiani Demos (University of Denver) – University of Torino School of Management
  
  

Abi has been awarded the Giulio Marcantonio Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the founder of our Society. She is a student at the University of Denver majoring in Pre Art Conservation and minoring in Italian, Chemistry and Leadership. Abi will study for the coming academic year at Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence where she will be enrolled in their schools of Italian Language and Culture, Creative Arts, and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. She writes, “I have specifically sought classes that take advantage of the city by taking excursions or site-visits so that my experience is as Florence-specific as possible. As a student who fell in love with Florence before ever stepping foot there, this scholarship will turn years of dreaming and preparing into the reality of studying in a city that helped shape my major into what it is today.”

Annika is a student at the University of Denver majoring in International Studies and minoring in Italian. She will spend the fall quarter at DU in Florence Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute taking courses in humanities, creative arts, design, and Italian language and culture. As she states in her application, “This study abroad program will no doubt be the culturally enriching and immersive experience that will set me on the path to accomplishing academic as well as personal goals. My primary goal is to advance my Italian fluency while enhancing my International Studies degree by learning about the domestic and international political system in Italy.”

Aurora is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in Political Science and minoring in Italian. Her study abroad experience will begin in the spring of 2027 at the Arcadia University Umbra Institute in Perugia. In her personal essay, she writes, “As someone who hopes to become fully fluent in Italian one day, I strongly believe that cultural immersion is the greatest way to achieve this The Dante Alighieri Society Scholarship is a privilege and an opportunity I do not take lightly. With the support of the scholarship, I will be able to immerse myself in Italian culture long-term, strengthen my language proficiency, and deepen my connection to my heritage which has had such a profound impact on my life.”

Gia is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder where she is majoring in International Affairs and minoring in Italian. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Gia will study with CEA CAPA in Florence where she will enroll in an intensive Italian language course as well as in courses focused on European politics and society. Gia writes, “Studying in Italy will be an invaluable opportunity to strengthen my Italian language skills and gain first-hand insight into Italian culture and political systems while giving me the privilege to connect more fully with the heritage that has shaped who I am.”

Glenda is currently completing her Bachelor of Music in Composition at the University of Colorado Boulder with a minor in Classical Guitar. Glenda has been awarded the position of Composer-in-Residence at Orvieto Musica for the summer and has stated, “When I learned that they would ask me to write music inspired by St. Francis and the ancient Etruscans, I felt something click into place. This not a program I am attending. This is a conversation I have been preparing for my entire life. Italy is where nature, art and music collapse into one another. It is a compelling culture to compose in.”

 Lyle is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in Finance and Accounting and minoring in Italian. He will be doing a Summer 2026 Internship with IES Abroad Milan. In describing his expectations for the program, he states, “I have chosen academic goals for myself that will help me move to Italy and work as a wealth manager in the future. I am majoring in finance and accounting to help me grasp concepts of the markets that I will need in my future career. I am taking Italian to learn the language but what I believe is missing is to ‘study’ Italian culture in a workplace environment. Immersing myself in Italian culture and knowing the language are important in interviews and workplace environments. This scholarship will enable me to fulfill my professional goals and to embrace Italy as a native Italian would.”

 Sevastiani is a student at the University of Denver majoring in Languages, Literatures and Cultures with an emphasis in Italian. She is doing a minor in Kinesiology and Sports Studies. In the fall she will take courses at USAC Torino School of Management where, in addition to courses in Italian language, she will study International Business as well as Italian Business and the country’s economic relationship to the world. She writes, “The Italian language has always had a special place in my heart. Learning how to speak, read and write in Italian has strengthened the appreciation I have for the language and has also shown me what career path I would like to pursue.”

These students represent the future of cultural exchange, and we are proud to support them as they immerse themselves in the language, history, and traditions of Italy.

This special day would not be possible without the generosity of our community and the dedication of our Scholarship Committee and Board. Your continued support makes dreams like these a reality.

Thank you to all who joined us and helped make the afternoon so memorable.