Bishop Kearney student tops National Italian Exam

May 25, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Italian_girl_wins_award.JPG

Share this:

Numero Uno!

By Mary Frost

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BENSONHURST — Come si dice it in Italiano? (How do you say it in Italian?)

Ask Rossella Failla, the Bishop Kearney High School senior who earned the highest score in the nation on the 2012 National Italian Exam in her category — Category IV-C — the top level of study. Along with earning bragging rights, Failla also received a $250 award.

“As an Italian emigrant, it’s really important to me to stay true to my roots and my culture,” Rossella said. “I am so proud of this accomplishment and I hope to always continue living my Italian culture!”

Roughly 1,000 students from across the U.S. competed in Rossella’s category, including Connecticut student Giorgio Caterini, also a top scorer.

The contest was held in March. Sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Italian, the exam is meant to reward excellence in Italian, prepare students for the AP Italian Language and Culture Exam, and allow students to become recipients of scholarships.