Italian Women’s Civic Club Honors Two from Fisher

St. John Fisher University students Sabrina Antonini and Molly Fisher were named recipients of the Italian Women’s Civic Club (IWCC) 2024 Dante Scholarship Award.

Antonini and Fisher were among several local college students to be recognized for their academic achievement and pride in their Italian American heritage. The students were formally honored during an awards dinner held in November.

Antonini is from Hilton, New York, and is earning a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and computer science. She also has a minor in modern languages and cultures. She is a member of the Computer Science Club, Athlete to Athlete, and the cross country and track and field teams. She will graduate in May and hopes to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

Fisher is majoring in biology with minors in Spanish and finance. She has regularly engaged in volunteer work at a local hospice home. She hopes to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant, combining a passion for medicine with a desire to provide empathetic patient care.

The IWCC established the Dante Scholarship Fund in 1921 to assist young men and women of Italian heritage in pursuing a college education. The scholarship was named after the great Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, in recognition of his passion for his literarature. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $4,000.

The IWCC was established in 1919 to educate immigrant women on their newly acquired right to vote and assist them in assimilating into American life. The mission of the Club has evolved over the years, and today focuses on supporting higher education opportunities for young adults of Italian ancestry. The Dante Scholarship Award is among the group’s many philanthropic efforts. Applicants for the scholarship must be full-time matriculated undergraduate or graduate students at area colleges and universities. Awards are based on criteria set by the IWCC committee and include academic achievement, extra- curricular activities, community service, and personal identification with Italian American heritage.