Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) announced that the 2021 New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators (NYCIASL) is now accepting applications for their academic and athletic scholarships.

“For years, the NYCIASL has been awarding exemplary students with an opportunity to chase their dreams,” said Buttenschon. “It’s important that we continue to provide opportunities for our young people to succeed through higher education. There are countless hardworking and driven young people right here in the Mohawk Valley who deserve of this accolade, and I encourage all to apply!”

The New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators is a bipartisan organization of state Assembly and Senate members. Last year, Whitesboro High School graduate Isabella Pedulla won the 2020 Senator John J. Marchi Memorial Scholarship, which she used towards her tuition at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.

This year, the conference is awarding two academic and two athletic scholarships, each in the amount of $4,000, during Italian-American Day on May 24, 2021. Students can complete the application by visiting www.nyiacsl.org. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 19. Applicants should:

• Have a grade point average of 85 or higher;
• Be active in community service and extracurricular activities;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• In the case of the athletic scholarship, be involved in an organized sport or sports.