With the help of their advisor, Ms. Uzzi, the Italian Honor Society hosted their first Food & Film Night this past Friday, January 26th.
The movie they chose to present for the night was a 1950s American film based in Italy entitled “Vacanze Romane,” starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
In it, Audrey Hepburn is a European princess named Ann who finds herself distraught from her busy schedule. She decides to take a night off during her time in Rome, and falls asleep on a park bench, where she meets Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American reporter who takes care of her and predicts to a fellow editor that he can obtain an interview with her identity is discovered. While he chases the story, Ann and Joe slowly start to fall in love and romance gets in the way.
In addition to popcorn, the Italian Honor Society prepared three signature Italian dishes. They provided an antipasto (appetizer) which was Bruschetta. The main dish which was pasta al forno (baked ziti). And a homemade Milanese cake or torta.
Brendan Miceli, a junior at River Dell, shares that members of the honor society decided how they wanted to help. They were able to choose between preparing the food, ushering students and families in, collecting tickets at the door, or MCing. As one of the leaders of the film night, Miceli did it all and acted as the MC, helped prepare food, and collected tickets.
Ms. Uzzi, the advisor of the Italian Honor Society, has been wanting to host a food and film night, and shared what the money from the tickets are going towards. “The money from the food and film night are going towards our seniors’ scholarship fund and to offset costs for other events hosted by IHS, such as Feste Italiana.
According to senior Abigail Finan who has been a part of the Italian Honor Society since her junior year, “We plan to have another Feste Italiana like last year, which is a night of Italian games, performances, and gelato.”
This year, however, several other honor societies will be joining in the festivities, so it will bring in more culture to the party in June. “We’ve already met with the other honor societies, and we’re all in agreement. All languages will be hosting it this year, so that should be an enjoyable and fun night!” stated Ms. Uzzi.
The future of the Italian Honor Society looks bright, and they can’t wait to bring more events to River Dell! Brendan Miceli shares, “I’m looking forward to my senior year!”