Long Beach High School’s Italian students were recognized for a number of accomplishments demonstrating their comprehension of the language.

Students from Anna Carfagno’s and Enza Salamone’s classes participated in the 31st annual Italian Poetry contest at SUNY Old Westbury, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Italian — Long Island. Approximately 300 students from school districts across Long Island competed in this event, which required them to recite a 12-30 line poem in Italian from memory.

Demi Amideneau, Kelly Banegas, Laura Capozzi, Veryeni Cuevas, Maxwell Dexter, Anna Falvey, Diane Huie, Amanda Kramer, Ivanna Mangiafreno, Maegan Miciotta, Demitri Samothrakis and Amy Zheng received certificates of participation. Italian IB2 student Laura Mauceri won a second-place award in the Level 5 division of the contest for her recitation of “Quant’e bella giovinezza” by Lorenzo De’Medici. Italian IB student Ivanna Mangiafreno won first place in the event’s cooking component, “Cuoco di Ferro,” for her winning Napoleon pastries.

Another award from the AATI-LI was presented to Lauren Mangiafreno. Out of 15 applicants, she was one of only two students selected for the $500 Morabito Scholarship. Laura was recognized at the 18th annual AATI-LI Dante Award and Scholarship Luncheon at Ristorante Pompei in West Hempstead on May 16. She was acknowledged as an outstanding senior who has excelled in Italian studies for a minimum of four years.

The AATI is a national organization that aims to promote the study, teaching and appreciation of Italian culture and language in academic and community settings. The Long Beach School District’s World Language program strives to provide students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the language(s) of their choice, as well as a deep appreciation for the cultures and customs of other countries. The district offers second language studies beginning in grade 7, and students at the high school level may advance to the more challenging level 4 AP courses in French and Spanish, SUPA courses in Italian and Spanish, and IB courses in French, Italian and Spanish.