Italian Club At West Orange High School Takes Guests On Musical Journey [VIDEO]

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

In what has become one of the most anticipated events of the school year, the West Orange High School Italian Club did not disappoint with their recent presentation of “A Journey Into la musica di Sanremo.”

Sanremo, or “city of flowers,” is located on the Italian Riviera and is well-known for the yearly Sanremo Music Festival.

“As for the Sanremo theme, we use the Sanremo Music Festival every year in our classrooms to expose students to Italian music and culture,” began Italian teacher and advisor Rosanna Zamloot.

“It has become an engaging learning experience where students practice using adjectives to describe songs and performers, analyze lyrics, discuss fashion and performance styles, and learn about contemporary Italian culture. Many students develop favorite singers and continue listening to their music outside of class, using it as an authentic and enjoyable way to strengthen their Italian language skills. Because Sanremo has consistently been one of our students' favorite units of study, we decided it would be the perfect theme for this year's Italian Night,” she explained.

The well-attended event raised money for scholarships and included the presentation of scholarships from the Italian Club and UNICO, who later distributed them in a dinner on June 10.

Several notable local officials attended the festivities, including Mayor Susan McCartney, councilperson Michelle Casalino, Board of Education President Brian Rock, and featured welcomes by West Orange High School Principal Oscar Guerrero and World Languages Supervisor Felix Plata. Catering by Maschio’s and Viennese desserts delivered to each table added to the authenticity of the evening.

This year’s guest speaker was Andrew Della Fera, a senior at Rutgers University majoring in Political Science and Italian. Della Fera grew up in Verona and was a star soccer player at Verona High School. Over the years, his love of Italian music has enhanced his study of the language and Italian culture. In addition to his studies, Della Fera is an Italian football columnist for The Italian Tribune.

“As learning Italian has done for me, learning a new language will open up the world for all of us. We are fortunate that Italian culture is so special, especially with the Italian department at West Orange High School.”

During dinner service, WOPD officer Justin Davis provided DJ expertise and the WOHS String Ensemble performed a medley of Italian songs.

Several performances followed, including:

• Nel Blu dipinto di Blu (Volare) sung by Alex Cureton and Roosevelt Middle School students Everly Feliciano, Brielle LaBanca, Hope Corhan, Sadie Schowalter, Samantha Maurizaca, Madeline Cureton, Maya Al-Shibib, Mahalia Joseph, Anayansi Mora, and Nataly Calle
• Como Saprei sung by senior Amelie Swayze
• Zitti e Buoni sung by sophomore Vincent Fondetto; dance by seniors from the Italian Honor Society
• Brividi sung by Alex Cureton and Zoe Keefe and danced by Ava de Barros
• Cenere sung by Rhianna Giuliano including a group dance
• La Noia sung by Amelie Swayze and danced by Ava de Barros, Camila Rosario Taeras, Keissy Fernandez Barriios, Kylie Gordon, Monica Morales, and Zoe Buckley-Jones
• Ossesione dance performed by Ariana Lawrence, Ava de Barros, Camila Rosario Taveras, Camryn Morgan, Keissy Fernandez Barrios, Kylie Gordon, Monica Morales, and Zoe Buckley-Jones

“Learning about other cultures and languages is important because it broadens students' perspectives and helps them develop an appreciation for people whose experiences may differ from their own,” noted Zamloot.

“Language learning goes beyond vocabulary and grammar; it provides insight into traditions, values, history, and ways of life around the world. Through these experiences, students build empathy, cultural awareness, and communication skills that will benefit them throughout their lives,” she concluded.

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