Scholarship Program

2026 Cigar Night Scholarship Recipients

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Dominic Fondetto was diagnosed with ASD at 18 months.  He qualified for
early intervention and entered the West Orange School District at age 3. 
Starting with ABA, he moved to the LLD program and then transitioned to
General Ed in High School with an aide. Dominic loves video games, music,
cars, movies, film and photography.   Dominic worked at a camp that he once
attended as a media tech.  In high school he was part of the Italian Club,
Mock Trial Team, Drama Club, and Coding club.  He graduated in 2026 with
honors and received the President’s Award.  He is currently attending
Bloomfield College of Montclair University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in

Game Programming.

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Vincent Fondetto was born into a house full of early intervention
specialists.  At a young age, Vincent went to camp with Dominic through a
program they were having where they would have neuro-typical siblings
attend intending for them to be models for typical behavior.  Vincent loves to
perform and has used his voice to give non-verbal children a voice on stage
through Papermill Playhouse’s programs.  He is also enrolled for Papermill
Playhouse’s Children on Tour group who travels to schools for disabled
and/or autistic children and performs for them.  This program culminates in
an Autistic Friendly show at the Papermill Playhouse.  His favorite part is
meeting the children afterwards.  Vincent plans to attend college for a BFA in

Musical Theatre.

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Neve Marchesani is 18 years old and a Senior at Banyan High School,
graduating in June 2026. Neve will likely be attending Banyan Life Academy
in September, 2027.  During the summers, you can find her working for

Product with a Purpose, a nonprofit store on Long Beach Island.  Neve
enjoys doing all types of art and loves biking, swimming and surfing at the
beach and anything outdoors, but what she loves the most is spending time

with friends and family. 

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2026 Scholarship Recipients

Joseph Morrissey – Gramon Family of Schools
Yasin Melton – Gramon Family of Schools
Jaden James – Gramon Family of Schools
Michael Romano – Gramon Family of Schools
James Carney – Hanover Park High School
Addison Doscher – Hanover Park High School

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2025 Cigar Night Scholarship Recipients

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Vincent Michael Alfano, a Senior at Clifton High School will graduate June
2026. Vincent will attend the extended CHS/community program until he’s

21, where he will then go on to attend a Day program.

Nicholas Peter LeConte, a resident of the Our House community, where he

attends the Day Program.

He graduated in 2019 from the Bancroft School in Cherry Hill, NJ.   A

residential school for autistic disabled youth.

He then transitioned to the Our House adult residential program in Somerset

County.

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Danny Nole, a graduate of Randolph High School. He attends trade
programs at Morris County Vo-Tech, and works at Panera with support from

New Jersey DVRS.

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Rocco Nole, Danny’s identical twin brother and a graduate of Randolph High
School. Rocco was recently accepted into Rowan University’s Autism PATH
Program in New Jersey, where he looks forward to continuing to build his

independence and future.

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2025 Scholarship Recipients

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Amanda Cosentino – Hanover Park High School Graduate
Sienna Quintela – Hanover Park High School
Gia Dalessio – Hanover Park High School

Elio Tommasi – Gramon Family of Schools, New Beginnings
Frank Giordano – Gramon Family of Schools, Glenview Gramon

Michael Orrico – Kearny High School

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2024 Cigar Night Scholarship Recipients

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Louis Apicella, Graduated Wayne Hills in 2021, Graduated from Wayne
Valley Adult Program in 2024. He also participated in Unified Track &
Basketball. He is currently a member of the Bridges Adult Program in

Fairfield.

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Anthony Apicella, who will say a few words tonight, graduated from Wayne
Valley in June. A varsity basketball player 3 years, 3 rd Team All State, 1 st

Team All County, a member of the National Honor Society and is currently a

business major at Seton Hall University.

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2024 Scholarship Recipients

Jada Quintela – Hanover Park High School
Vincenza Ucci – Hanover Park High School

Michael Jimenez – The Gramon Family of Schools, New Beginnings
Jesus Caban – The Gramon Family of Schools, Glenview Gramon

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2023 Cigar Night Scholarship Recipients

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Nicholas DeRosa attends Oratory Prep and is awaiting an answer from

Vilanova and Boston College.

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Anthony DeRosa attends the Banion School in Nutley and will be going to

the Banion Life Academy after graduation.

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2023 Scholarship Recipients

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Anthony Pandullo - Hanover Park High School
​Ava Siciliano - Hanover Park High School​

Sergio Gomez - The Gramon Family of Schools, New Beginnings​

Nicole Hurtado - The Gramon Family of Schools, Glenview Gramon

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Our first scholarship was awarded October 12, 2022 at our annual
Cigar Night Fundraiser to Michael Palmieri, who was diagnosed with
Autism at 2 years old. He now has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and
is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Microbiology at Seton Hall University.
Michael is an absolute inspiration to all of those touched by Autism.

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These Scholarships are intended to assist the next chapter of life,
whether it be applied to post-secondary education/college, life
skills/prevocational programs, or adult day programs.

All Scholarships were reviewed and selected by the Arianna's Angels
officers. The recipients received their scholarship during their school

ceremonies and/or at our annual fundraiser.
Thank you to all our applicants, you are all amazing!