Hawthorne High School is planning to say ‘ciao’ to a select group of deserving students who are going to Italy in April of 2014.

HHS teachers and senior class advisors John DiLonardo and Marisa Margarucci are planning the trip for students in the Italian Club, AP Italian class, and Media Arts III Honors who met a specific grade point average. Students who met the critical and were interested in the trip had to get a recommendation from a teacher and write an essay about why they deserved to go to Italy.

When DiLonardo was asked what made him and Margarucci decide to plan this amazing opportunity for HHS students, he said, “As senior class advisors, Miss Margarucci and I thought this was a great educational experience for both the senior AP Italian students and the advance Media Arts honors students.”

In Italy, students will be able to learn about the history and culture while visiting Rome, Florence, Siena, and Verona. Students will be able to visit historic sites in Italy such as the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the famous Colosseum, and the Murano Glass factory, and enjoy some gelato.

The total cost of the trip will be $3,100, which includes tours, hotels, excursions, food, and airfare. In order to raise that money, students going on the trip participated in Hawthorne Day selling red, white, and green chocolate covered pretzels and Italian-themed bracelets. The Italian Club is also selling Gertrude Hawk Chocolate, and is accepting orders until November 25.

If you would like to participate in any of fundraisers going towards the 2014 Italian trip, contact either of the advisors or a student going on the trip.