On September 27 at the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame will present scholarships to 13 high school graduates from the Class of 2023, including two from Cranston.

The organization will also induct part-time Rhode Island resident and comedy icon Jay Leno into the Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame. 

Two-time Emmy award-winning producer, reporter, and longtime NBC 10 sportscaster Joe Rocco is the president of the organization and explained he was thrilled to both make a connection and truly connect with Leno.

Leno reached out to Rocco on Christmas Day of 2022 while Rocco was out of the country and not accepting calls. Through a series of one-on-one discussions, Leno not only agreed to accept his induction, but graciously offered his time to entertain guests and meet the rest of the event’s honorees.

“He’s just been great, just a phenomenal guy who believes in our sincerity and what we’re doing and is flattered by the honor,” Rocco said.

The scholarship program began in 1987 when the organization was affiliated with the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, headquartered in Chicago. After a few years of dealing with challenges associated with operations in Chicago, however, the Rhode Island chapter decided to break away, keeping valuable resources in-state for deserving students.

“We broke away about eight or nine years later, around 1996 or 1997, to become just the Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame,” he explained.

This decision also involved removing “Sports” from the name, opening up scholarship opportunities for all Rhode Island students.

The organization has not only awarded roughly $400,000 in scholarships to local students over the past 37 years, but has also honored Italian-American icons like Mario Andretti, Vinny Pazienza, Rico Petrocelli, Tedy Bruschi, Dom DiMaggio, and Terry Francona.

“It’s not bad for an organization that most people don’t even know exists,” Rocco laughed.

Each $3,000 scholarship is co-sponsored by a RIIAHF member or family, who reviews a candidate’s accomplishments before electing to support their college education. When awards are presented to the winning students, they too get to know the sponsoring family. This unique approach serves to build community.

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, educational excellence, and involvement in sports and extracurricular activities. Rocco explained the organization usually receives between 25 and 40 applications per year.

Applicants need not be of Italian-American heritage to be considered for or be awarded scholarships.

This year, Cranston High School West 2023 graduates Aidan Royal and Angelo Capaldi will be among the honored, and both have expressed they are sentimental about the cause and attending the event.

Capaldi decided to apply for this scholarship as a way to honor his background and family.

“I felt like it connected to me, and my heritage is very important to me and the rest of my family,” Capaldi said.

Aidan Royal, whose grandparents hail from Naples, said he was very excited to meet Jay Leno, and his father, a Leno fan, is looking forward to watching his comedy set.

“An Evening of Laughter Honoring Jay Leno & Rhode Island’s Best and Brightest” will take place on September 27, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame website at www.riiahf.org or the Providence Performing Arts Center website (www.ppacri.org) or box office. Ticket prices start at $45.

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