Congratulations to the 2026 West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival Scholarship Recipients!

Each year, the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival is proud to facilitate the following scholarships, which are selected entirely by the scholarship committee, independent of the Festival's Board of Directors. We celebrate these outstanding students and wish them continued success!

WVIHF 2015 Scholarship Recipients

Alex DeMary - Awarded the Angelo S. Petitto & Carolyn Arena Petitto Memorial Scholarship for $1,000. Alex graduated from Notre Dame High School. He plans to attend West Virginia University majoring in Accounting.

Wakem Simon - Awarded the Harry Green 7 Acres Scholarship for $500. Trey graduated from Fairmont Senior High School. He plans to attend West Virginia University majoring in Sports Physiology.

Chaz Rodeheaver - Awarded the WVIHF Board of Directors Scholarship for $500. Chaz graduated from Robert C. Byrd High School. He plans to attend Alderson Broaddus majoring in Athletic Training / Physicians Assistant.

Joseph Ellis - Awarded the Frank and Josephine Roncone Scholarship $500. Joseph graduated from Notre Dame High School. He plans to attend West Virginia University majoring in Nursing.

Marissa Bailey - Awarded the Mary L. "Weege" Vargo Scholarship in Memory of Margaret Rose Devono Vargo for $250. Marissa graduated from Robert C. Byrd High School. She plans to attend West Virginia University majoring in Musical Theatre / Public Relations.

Amelia Cava - Awarded the Rose Mary "Wizzie" Brunetti Tennant Memorial Scholarship for $250. Amelia graduated from Notre Dame High School. She plans to attend West Virginia University majoring in Speech Pathology.

NOTE: Each year, the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival facilitates scholarships that are funded by individual donors. The board is not part of the selection committee. Applications are sent to an outside source and once recipients are identified, the information comes back to our office.

Rules:

• This scholarship application is restricted for West Virginia residents of Italian descent
• High school seniors, undergraduates and graduates may apply and will be considered for ALL available scholarships.
• APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MARCH 1, 2026

Please include the following with your application:

• Registration fee: $10.00 payable to "WVIHF Scholarship Program".
• Any necessary essay attachments.
• Sealed official transcript (1 copy).
• Letter of acceptance to college or graduate school (for high school & college seniors only).
• Names and addresses of your school newspaper and two (if possible) hometown newspapers.
• One photo (head and shoulder area only, color or black/white):
• Photo will be sent to the media if you are selected to receive a scholarship.
• Photo will not be returned; digital copy may be emailed to wvihf@wvihf.com.