STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Domenick Boccia, a senior at St. Peter's Boys High School, was honored Monday by Assemblymen Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) and Matthew Titone (D-North Shore) at the Italian-American Day 50th Anniversary Ceremony in Albany.
Each year, the New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators award four scholarships -- two academic and two athletic -- at the annual ceremony.
FYI: The four scholarships in the amount of $3,000 are available to residents of New York State who are current college students or high school seniors entering college.
Boccia was awarded because of his extensive experience in track and field.
"It is great to see a local Staten Island high school runner being honored with Senator John Marchi Memorial Athletic Scholarship," said Assemblyman Cusick.
"With the cost of college increasing every year, it is important that our State legislature provide scholarship opportunities, such as this one, to well deserving students. I would like to congratulate Domenick on being awarded this scholarship and wish him the best of luck at Manhattan College."
The award is presented to a student who demonstrates a grade point average of 85 and over, has proper conduct and demonstrates the dedication to pursue and complete a higher education degree. He also must be involved in an organized sport or sports, active in community service and extracurricular activities, and must demonstrate financial need.
Boccia's interest in running sparked at the young age of 3 years old.
He competed throughout his CYO school days for Blessed Sacrament and local road racing clubs and he continues his running career at St. Peter's Boys High School, joining their Varsity Cross Country track and field team.
During his high school years, Boccia earned individual titles for two CHSAA Intersectional Championships, one NY CHSAA Sectional Championship, five Staten Island Championships, set the 2017 record with 1st at the Clipper Classic, was third in the 2018 Bishop Loughlin Games Mile, ran a Sub 13 at VCP's 2.5 mile and sub 9:30 in the 3200m and 4:22 miler, was a three-time Advance All Star in cross country and a 2-timer in track and field.
Due to his high performance in the sport of track and field, he has received offers to attend Manhattan College, Gonzaga, Iona, Wagner, Stony Brook, Siena, University of Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Buffalo.
MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Assemblyman Titone serves as the Secretary of the New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators, a bipartisan organization of New York State Assembly and Senate members who are actively involved in promoting and celebrating the state's Italian-American community.
The conference mission is to elevate and highlight Italian-American contributions to the state of New York and beyond in all aspects of society, including literature, the arts, architecture, and politics. The conference also tries to dispel negative stereotypes of Italian-Americans.