Italian Mutual Benefit Association Scholars

Aryanna Vidaic, daughter of Neven and Rosella Vidaic, has been named the recipient of a $1500 scholarship for the 2026-2027 collegiate academic year by the Italian Mutual Benefit Association of Stroudsburg according to Felix Staffaroni, Association President

Aryanna, a Senior at Stroudsburg High School, is in the top 7 percent of her class with an unweighted GPA of 3.87. Her extracurricular activities include the National Honor Society, Model Congress Club, Mock Trial, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Stroudsburg High School tennis team. She is an officer in several of these groups and also has received the Bishop's Youth Award for her volunteer work at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Aryanna will attend East Stroudsburg University in the Fall to pursue pre-law studies.

The IMBA Scholarship Program was established in 1989 as part of the Association's Diamond Anniversary celebration. Scholarship applicants are required to demonstrate superior academic achievement, active involvement in extra-curricular activities, participation in school and community service, and write a 1000-word minimum essay on the topic “What My Italian Heritage Means to Me.”

The monetary grant is the result of a comprehensive evaluation and is applicable to the awardee’s Freshman year at a four-year college or university program. The Association members feel that it is very important, particularly in our present economic situation, to provide financial assistance to students and their families. Unfortunately, limited funds and keen competition for the scholarship does not permit additional assistance for other deserving candidates.

The mission of the Italian Mutual Benefit Association is “to promote positive social interaction between and among Americans of Italian descent, provide for the preservation of our Italian cultural heritage, and enhance the positive image of the Italian people within the greater community.” The Association continues to serve its constituents and was granted a Charter by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County in 1914.