EAST LONGMEADOW – The UNICO chapter of East Longmeadow will be honoring local high school students and community members during its annual Awards Night on June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall located at 26 Baldwin St.

East Longmeadow UNICO President Richard Freccero told Reminder Publications three academic scholarships and one athletic scholarship, the Brian Piccolo Award, would be presented to East Longmeadow High School (ELHS) students during the ceremony.

“I think the importance is that it’s one of our key fundraisers every year,” Freccero noted. “Every year, we consistently give $4,000 in scholarships, usually centered on [ELHS] students.”  

UNICO Scholarship Committee Chair Dominick Anzalotti said awards are given to well rounded students, not just those who excel academically.

The list of students receiving $1,000 academic scholarships include Mike Maggipinto, Matthew Boucher for the Robert “Bobby” Hood Scholarship, which is in an honor of a UNICO member who passed away, and Michael Bailey. The Brian Piccolo Award would be given to Felix Tranghese Jr. for his athletic accomplishments in football.

Anzalotti said Tranghese could have easily been awarded an academic scholarship as well.

“Scholarships are big in UNICO along with giving money to other charities,” Anzalotti explained. “Probably the biggest thing in UNICO is giving scholarships … We’ve been doing it in East Longmeadow since about 1980. We started off with one, now we have three.”

UNICO?member Don Millett, a former youth sports coach, said Tranghese’s uncle, Albert “Baba” Tranghese, who passed away, helped to pick Piccolo award winners in the past.

“We incorporated his name into the Brian Piccolo scholarship approximately eight or nine years ago after he passed away,” he explained. “This year is special because his nephew will be getting the award.”

Albert Tranghese was heavily involved with coaching youth baseball and football for decades in the community.

Freccero said the event would also honor this year’s UNICO Man of the Year – Reminder Publications Co-Publisher and realtor Chris Buendo, a long-time member of the organization.

“One of our members has established a yearly golf tournament and that’s Chris Buendo,” Freccero said.

The golf tournament would allow the East Longmeadow UNICO chapter to raise more than $4,000 worth of scholarships in the future, he explained.

Freccero said Buendo was an obvious choice for the award – he’s been supportive of UNICO’s porchetta dinners and demonstrates his commitment to UNICO by his volunteer efforts.

Buendo, who has been involved with UNICO for approximately 20 years, said he is humbled to be voted as Man of the Year by his fellow members.

“There are many honorable people who have received Man of the Year prior to me, not the least of whom are my first two cousins, Ronnie and Bobby Hood,” he noted.

Buendo, who has served on numerous local nonprofit boards of trustees over the years, said he has a lot of fun being a member of UNICO.

“UNICO is a down-to-earth Italian men’s club with many active volunteers and our mission is to raise money in support to scholarships for local students,” he explained.

UNICO’s Heckle and Jeckle Golf Tournament is set for Oct. 1 at Franconia Golf Course in Springfield at 619 Dwight Road.

For more information about East Longmeadow’s UNICO chapter visit www.facebook.com/East-Longmeadow-Chapter-of-Unico-National-107380662669472.

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