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2005

Master of Ceremonies: Colombo Lodge President Joseph Mangiamelli
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Rev. Lucian Astuto
Benediction: Rev. Jim Clifton

Outstanding Humanitarian: Fred Tuccitto. Besides being a highly decorated WWII Veteran and a successful business man, Fred has long been involved in sculpture. Among his sculptures, to name just a few, are busts of the late Pope John Paul, Pat Tillman (the professional football player who joined the Army and died in Afghanistan), and Jason Ty Pratt (an Omaha Police Officer who was gunned down in the line of duty).
Outstanding Italian-American: Louis Rotella, Jr.
Outstanding Member: George Matuella
$1,000 Scholarship: Rockhurst College (Kansas City, Mo) student Adam Ricceri.
$500 Scholarship: Gross High School student Justine Sacco. (4.0 gpa and very active in school activities.
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2004

Master of Ceremonies: Colombo Lodge President Joseph Mangiamelli
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Rev. Lucian Astuto
Benediction: Rev. Jim Clifton

Outstanding Humanitarian: Dr. R. Michael Gross, orthopedic surgeon who, in addition to his medical practice, is renouned for volunteering his time and talents both locally and internationally. Dr. Gross has served as the team doctor for the Omaha Lancers and Gross High School and has volunteered for several overseas mission to treat and help needy people.
Outstanding Italian-American: Robert Orsi
Outstanding Member: Bill Hoult
Outstanding Athlete: Stephen Mannino, Millard High Graduate currently attending the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Stephen is involved in wrestling, soccer, football and was a team leader and captain of the team.
$1,000 Scholarship: Elizabeth Major, Colorado School of Mines, majoring in math, bio-engineering, and life sciences. Also active in soccer and orchestra. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of Joe Ricceri.
$1,000 Scholarship: William Samuel Bade, currently enrolled at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis majoring in math and literature. Also involved in golf and hockey. William is the grandson of Sam Gabriel.
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2003

Master of Ceremonies: Former State President Dr. Tom Ruma, Jr.
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Rev. Lucian Astuto
Benediction: Rev. Lucian Astuto
Outstanding Italian-American: John Stella
Outstanding Member: Linda Mancuso Chapman
Outstanding Athlete: Patrick Venditte, Central High School Pitcher
$1,000 Scholarship: Elizabeth Nowaczyk, U.N.O. student, involved in the
make-a-wish foundation; creates and manages internet web pages;
grand-daughter of Tio and Nettie Parise.
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2002

Master of Ceremonies: Former State President Dr. Tom Ruma, Jr.
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Lucian S. Astuto
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: Miss Mary Flanagan, Christ Child Center Manager
Outstanding Member: Thomas V. Coco
Outstanding Athlete: Danielle Mancuso, Gross H.S. Volleyball
$1,000 Scholarship: Mary Ellen Coniglio, UNO & UNMC College of Nursing (3.5 gpa)
and Richard John Portera, UNO Junior pursuing a degree in Education (3.7 gpa)
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2001

Master of Ceremonies: State Vice President Dr. Tom Pruse
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Lucian S. Astuto
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program
Outstanding Italian-American: Reverend Lucian S. Astuto
Outstanding Member: This years award was proferred on all members who have served and defended our country during wartime
Outstanding Athlete: Stephanie Cortese, Marian High School Softball Team
$1,000 Scholarship: Amanda Marcuccio, Creighton University
$500 Scholarship: Ann Wheeler (granddaughter of Leonard and Mary Paletta), DuSchene Academy
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2000

Master of Ceremonies: State Vice President Dr. Tom Pruse
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Lucian S. Astuto
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: Honorable Hal Daub, Mayor of the city of Omaha
Outstanding Italian-American: Amy L. Longo, President, Nebraska Bar Association
Outstanding Member: Joe Mangiamelli, President, Cristoforo Colombo Lodge
Outstanding Athlete: Randy Stella, Linebacker, University of Nebraska Football Team
Special 'Outstanding Couple' Award given to President and Mrs. Charles Turco for years of service to the Order: Sons of Italy in America and, especially, to our Nebraska Lodge.
$1,000 Scholarship: Corrinne LaGreca, pursuing a degree in Sign Language at Iowa Western Community College
$500 Scholarship: Rob Mancuso, Creighton Prep Senior
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1999

Master of Ceremonies: State Vice President Dr. Tom Pruse
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Lucian S. Astuto
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: Roy A. Smith, Civic Leader
Outstanding Italian-American: Sam Marchese
Outstanding Member: Guy Godios
Outstanding Athlete: Shane Minardi, Wrestler, Gross High School
$1,000 Scholarship: Anthony Friedrichsen, Iowa State Univ. Soph. pursuing a degree in Dairy Science
Bernard A. & Frances A. Calandra Scholarship: Corrinne LaGreca, pursuing a degree in Sign Language at Iowa Western Community College
$500 Scholarship: Gayle Lorraine Portera, U.N.O. pursuing a degree in Accounting
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1998

Master of Ceremonies: State Vice President Dr. Tom Pruse
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Lucian S. Astuto
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: Julie Cornell, KETV Journalist
Outstanding Member: Louis R. Marcuzzo
Outstanding Athlete: Mike Mancuso, Quarterback, Creighton Prep
High School Scholarship awarded to: Elizabeth Novacek, Jr. Mercy High
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1997

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Lucian S. Astuto
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: Father James Scholz
Outstanding Italian-American: Charles Circo
Outstanding Member(s): Andrew and Rose DiMauro
Outstanding Athlete: Teresa Renee Cassel
College Scholarship awarded to: Katie Jackson
High School Scholarship awarded to: Julie A. Ruma
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1996

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Father Roger Kalscheuer
Outstanding Humanitarian: Father Carl Salanitro
Outstanding Italian-American: the Honorable Joseph Troia
Outstanding Member(s): Dan Shelby
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1995

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Father Lucian Astuto
Outstanding Humanitarian: Dr. Lee Simmons
Outstanding Italian-American: Dr. Charles Longo
Outstanding Member(s): Jack Pepitone and Connie Sloger
Outstanding Athlete: Anthony James Manganaro
College Scholarship awarded to: Mike Ruma
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1994

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Father Lucian Astuto
Outstanding Humanitarian: Governor Ben Nelson
Outstanding Italian-American: Joseph "Butch" Turco, Sr.
Outstanding Member(s): Joe Frolio and Margaret Potter
Outstanding Athlete: Becky Mancuso
College Scholarships to: Doug Shipley, Blanche Turco, Tracy Sloger
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1993

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Anthony Troia
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Father Lucian Astuto
Outstanding Humanitarian: Sister Mary Christelle Macaluso
Outstanding Italian-American: Sebastian "Subby" Anzaldo, Sr.
Outstanding Member(s): Emilie and Nick Rodgers
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Amy C. Hineline
High School Scholarship awarded to: Sarah Buda
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1992

Master of Ceremonies: Information not readily available
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Information not readily available
Benediction: Father Information not readily available
Outstanding Humanitarian: Information not readily available
Outstanding Italian-American: Information not readily available
Outstanding Member(s): Information not readily available
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1991

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Information not readily available
Outstanding Humanitarian: Creighton University Athletic Department
Outstanding Italian-American: Sebastian Pirruccello
Outstanding Member(s): Esther Mandolfo and Richard Merrill
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1990

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Information not readily available
Outstanding Humanitarian(s): Jim and Pat Manion
Outstanding Italian-American: Mary Anne Vaccaro
Outstanding Member(s): Bob Harms and Malvin Rosenbaugh
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1989

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Dr. Tom Ruma
State President: Charles Turco
Invocation: Father Carl Salanitro
Benediction: Father Information not readily available
Outstanding Humanitarian: Tom Bevacqua
Outstanding Italian-American: Carl A. Distefano
Outstanding Member(s): Sarita Ruma and Jim Gurciullo
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1988

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Anthony S. Troia
State President: Dr. Tom Ruma
Invocation: Information not readily available
Benediction: Information not readily available
Outstanding Humanitarian: PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.
Outstanding Italian-American: Information not readily available
Outstanding Member(s): Sam Vazzano and Ann Turco
Outstanding Athlete: Information not readily available
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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1987

Master of Ceremonies: Past State President Anthony S. Troia
State President: Dr. Tom Ruma
Invocation: Information not readily available
Benediction: Father Carl Salanitro
Outstanding Humanitarian: Father Val J. Peter
Outstanding Italian-American: Dr. Lee Bevilacqua
Outstanding Member(s): Thomas M. Kenney and Anthony Marcuccio
Outstanding Athlete: Joseph A. Salerno, Jr.
College Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
High School Scholarship awarded to: Information not readily available
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