Scholarships
Introduction
The Natick Sons and Daughters of Italy has been awarding educational scholarships for over 50 years. Since 2014, we have awarded approximately $92,000 in Lodge and family scholarships. This year we presented the Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411 Award; the Francis J. Cristofori Scholarship award on behalf of Mr. Mark Cristofori and the the Benny Polagruto Memorial Scholarship Award on behalf of the Polagruto family. We are proud to continue our legacy of supporting the education of our next generation of leaders.

On June 10, 2025, we awarded $10,000 to ten local senior high graduates. Thank you to our scholarship committee, Carol Manning, committee chair, and her team, Diane Guidi, Martha Morese and Cathy Washburn for their hard work. They accomplished the difficult task of selecting 10 award recipients out of 75+ deserving applicants. Thank you to our members, volunteers, patrons, the Francis J Cristofori family, and the Polagruto family for making this years scholarship ceremony a wonderful success. Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship award recipients!
Scholarship Recipients
Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411 Scholarship Award – 2025
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Francis J. Cristofori Memorial Scholarship Award – 2025
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Benny Polagruto Memorial Scholarship Award – 2025
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2025 Scholarship Recipients
Application Instructions
  1. The below documents must be received in one envelope, postmarked no later than March 31. No exceptions will be made.
    • The 2025 Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411 application form must be filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
    • Letter of recommendation from school staff.
    • Personal essay written and signed by the applicant stating why you are applying for this scholarship and listing your activities, volunteerism, leadership positions and future goals. Please share any other relevant information you'd like us to know.
    • Official transcript of grades received during the high school years.
    • Recipients will be notified by mail no earlier than June 1 of the year of application.
Scholarship Rules
  • The Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411 awards multiple scholarships to applicants.
  • Applications will be judged on the following criteria:
    1. High school grades
    2. Essay
    3. Character
    4. Volunteerism and/or activities
    5. Work experience 
  • Scholarships will be awarded to applicants attending:
    1. Two-year certified vocational school
    2. Two-year junior college
    3. Four-year college
  • Should the award recipient decide to attend a college, university, or vocational school other than what they have listed on their application as submitted to the Scholarship Committee, he/she must submit the new school to the Scholarship Committee no later than May 25.
  • Applications that are not submitted with proper documentation will not be considered.
  • The scholarship award will be given out at the Scholarship Award Ceremony, which is always the 2nd Monday of June. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, the award recipient, or representative, must attend in order to receive the award.
  • Should any recipient choose to discontinue college or vocational school studies, the award recipient must notify the Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411 as the scholarship is expressly for higher learning expenses.
  • All applications submitted become the property of the Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411, Sons and Daughters of Italy, and cannot be returned.
  • Award recipients should send an acknowledgement Thank you card to the Scholarship committee upon notification of their acceptance. Cards can be sent to Francesco DeSanctis Lodge #1411, 37 Washington Ave, Natick, MA 01760, Attn: Scholarship committee.