Congratulations to Class of 2017 Buccino Scholars: Vina Tailor and Carla Santos
(From L to R) Vina Tailor, Mr. Gerald P. Buccino, and Carla Santos at the celebratory luncheon, February 8th
On February 7th, freshmen Vina Tailor and Carla Santos received a call from Gerald P. Buccino after their recent interviews with him. He was informing them of great news and congratulating them on their achievement on being the recipients for the Buccino Scholarship for the Class of 2017! This is the first time in the history of the award that Mr. Buccino, President and CEO of Buccino Associates Inc., gave out the scholarship to two individuals. The reward includes not only a monetary scholarship, but also a personal and professional mentorship with him.
Class of 2014 winner, Luciana Contuzzi, who has recently graduated in December 2013 and currently employed, planned the celebratory event. The next day, on Saturday February 8th, Mr. Buccino and previous award winners gathered to meet and honor the two new students at Anna’s Ristorante for the annual luncheon.
Conversation was invigorating. Mr. Buccino introduced Vina and Carla to all the scholars present, one of them being the first who won 17 years ago and is now 34 years of age. They were able to hear the stories of everyone’s accomplishments and Mr. Buccino’s own personal accounts being a CEO and business professional for much of his life. The atmosphere exemplified the camaraderie of the scholars who have all benefitted by his mentorship over the years and shared in each other’s successes.
The most valuable takeaway though was the understanding of communication, time, and the life-long mentor-mentee relationship they are about to begin with him on their career journey and also with the other members of the Buccino scholar “family.” Vina and Carla will continue to reach out to Mr. Buccino and look forward to seeing him and the other scholars at the annual “Many Are One” black tie event on June 13th.
We, at the Leadership Development Honors Program, not only congratulate Vina and Carla on receiving such a high honor, but also to the other nominees from the Class of 2017: Caitlin Conroy, Luciano Cundari, Prachi Makkar, Amanda Sulkosky, and Geoffrey Thomulka! We look forward to hearing more about our team’s good news and future accomplishments!