WEST ORANGE, NJ - Italian Night, held June 6 at West Orange High School, was an ebullient celebration that dazzled attendees with a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Italian cinema. The program, "Fellini to Pixar: A Journey Through Italian Cinema, took the audience on an entertaining voyage from the iconic black-and-white elegance of Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960) to the colorful, modern-day storytelling of Pixar’s Luca.

Hosted by the Italian Club of West Orange High School along with students from Edison Middle School and Roosevelt Middle School, the event was a celebration of culture, language, and community. Students showcased their talents through musical performances, dances, and comic skits inspired by four influential films: La Dolce Vita, Cinema Paradiso, Luca, and the acclaimed TV series L’amica Geniale (My Brilliant Friend).

“This evening we embark on a cinematic voyage that bridges the storytelling of Italy’s legendary director Federico Fellini with the innovative animation of Pixar,” said Italian teacher and event organizer Rosanna Zamloot. “The films that the students will present showcase Italy’s lasting impact on the world of cinema.”

Adding to the evening’s excitement was the special surprise guest appearance of actor Robert Funaro, known for his role as Eugene Pontecorvo on The Sopranos. 

The success of the evening was the result of collaborative effort. Ms. Zamloot expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, “This evening would not have been possible without the support of my friends and colleagues: Matthew Garcia, Carlo Felici, Anna Maria Grammatica, Marcella Clatworthy, and Vita Semeraro. And, of course, the incredible effort of all the students of the Italian Club, especially our President, Trigal Rosario Taveras.”

In recognition of student excellence, 16 scholarships were awarded during the event. Of these, five were generously granted by the Orange West Orange Unico, honoring students for outstanding academic achievement and dedication to the Italian language and culture. The remaining 11 scholarships were funded by the Italian Club itself, showing its dedication to helping students grow and keeping Italian culture alive." Special thanks were also given to Supervisor of World Languages and ESL, Felix Plata, for his continued support.

“Fellini to Pixar” was more than just a theme; it was a heartfelt reminder of how storytelling transcends time, borders, and generations. Through music, film, and performance, the students brought Italian cinema to life and honored its enduring legacy.

Following the student performances, including the Girls and Boys Step teams, the audience joined in the celebration with joyful dancing with music provided by WOHS alum and WOPD police officer Justin Davis. A tricky tray added to the fun as families came away with Italian-themed goodies, with dinner from Maschio's and desserts on the tables. The evening ended as students gave gifts to Ms. Zamloot, who was overcome with emotion.

SEE THE PROGRAM FOR ITALIAN NIGHT HERE.

SEE PHOTOS FROM ITALIAN NIGHT HERE.

WATCH VIDEO CLIPS BELOW.

Actor Robert Funaro and Italian teacher Rosanna Zamloot

World Languages Supervisor Felix Plata, Mayor Susan McCartney, Superintendent Hayden Moore

Aaliyah Correa, Jayla McCullough, Adriana Giraldo, Joanna Rubinstein, Faith Deuschel, Arianna GonzalesCruzado, Abigail Rothstein, Ernesto Morillo, Russell Catarroja, Charles Saunders, Rosanna Zamloot, Felix Plata. Mia Peretz also received a scholarship; However, she was not present for the photo.

Felix Plata, Willcielys Gonzales, Tyler Lai, Emilia Favetta, Kimberly Mira Barrientos, Trigal Rosario Taveras, Rosanna Zamloot.