Villa Charities Awards Scholarships to 11 Canadian Students

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Villa Charities Inc., a registered charity and non-profit organization, has announced the winners of its seventh annual national scholarship program for post-secondary students. This year, the organization awarded eleven scholarships totaling $37,000 to students across Canada.

The scholarship program, which launched in May, was open to students of any heritage who were committed to furthering Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., expressed pride in the program’s continued success, noting that over 500 applications were received this year.

Six undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to full-time students. These recipients include: - Liliana Cremonese from the University of Western Ontario (also a recipient of the Masters Insurance Scholarship) - Arabella De Pellegrin from McMaster University (also a recipient of the Masters Insurance Scholarship) - Ava Marrone from the University of Western Ontario - Daniel Milone from Wilfred Laurier University (also a recipient of the Masters Insurance Scholarship) - Olivia Piccolo from the University of Waterloo - Vivian Polesel from the University of Toronto

Additionally, five graduate scholarships of $5,000 each were given to full-time graduate students. The recipients are: - Lauren Carmen Calicchia from the University of Toronto - James Capone from Toronto Metropolitan University - Amanda Lopresti from the King’s School of Social Work at the University of Western Ontario (recipient of the Maranello BMW Scholarship) - Adam Luigi Sammarelli from Simon Fraser University, Stephen’s Family School of Medicine (recipient of the Maranello BMW Scholarship) - Melanie Scalera from the University of Guelph

The selection process for the scholarships was rigorous, involving a review by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Applicants were required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and submit a short essay on how their work aligns with Villa Charities’ mission.

Olivia Piccolo, an undergraduate scholarship recipient from the University of Waterloo, shared her passion for making individual identities more visible in her community. She stated, "My Italian upbringing has shaped how I understand community, not just as shared identity, but as a responsibility to uplift and include everyone as if they were family. Pursuing an Italian Studies minor has allowed me to critically engage with aspects of my culture that I otherwise could not have deeply explored in Canada. Through this experience, I realized a passion for making individual identities more visible in each community I am a part of, supported by my commitment to advocacy."

Melanie Scalera, a graduate scholarship recipient from the University of Guelph, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to her community. She said, "I have been fortunate to grow up in the Villa Charities community, where I experienced how meaningful connections and mentorship can shape an individual's confidence and sense of belonging. This inspired me to seek opportunities where I could give back and create meaningful connections within my community."

Since its inception in 2020, the Villa Charities Scholarship Program has awarded $324,000 to 109 deserving students across Canada. The program supports students pursuing a variety of disciplines and aims to foster leadership, enrich lives, and empower the next generation.

Villa Charities Inc. continues to be dedicated to its mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. The organization’s commitment to education and community support is evident in the success of its scholarship program.