WHO WILL BE THE ONE? — Frankie DiCarlantonio and Lucia Scaffidi serve as president and vice president of the Italian American Cultural Club, respectively. The club is beginning what will, hopefully, be a new tradition of inducting one area resident into the Italian American Hall of Fame. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — Culture.

Culture is the beliefs, the arts, the achievements and the customs of a particular nation’s people.

Perhaps no one understands that more than those affiliated with the Italian-American Cultural Club.

For 100 years, the club’s members have been showing their pride for their heritage and celebrating their culture with those throughout the Ohio Valley.

Whether its programs for children and young adults that introduce them to the culture of their ancestors, or operating as a social organization to be a space in which their heritage can be celebrated, the IACC has one common theme — to Keep the Culture Alive.

The Italian culture club that first brought theatrical performances to Steubenville 100 years ago in order to bridge the gap of the multitude of new Italian Americans to the area now works as a group which holds monthly meals, various cultural presentations and many styles of entertainment performances.

Today, those in the IACC have decided as part of its 100th-anniversary celebration to create a special event for the club that first formed in 1925 under the name Steubenville Dramatic Club.

Italian Americans will be celebrated through the inclusion of the new Steubenville Italian-American Hall of Fame.

“Italian-Americans have been at the center of countless significant achievements in this country,” said Frankie DiCarlantonio, IACC president. “We want to recognize those local individuals whose contributions have enriched our community and beyond.”

But they need the community’s help.

The inaugural program is inviting all area residents to be in charge of the selection process for this year’s hall of fame inductee.

The public is being asked to actively participate by nominating those whom they believe fits the requirements to be declared the hall of fame’s first inductee.

Residents will ultimately determine the top five nominees.

Once the top five have been named, a 100-year anniversary gala will take place May 18 where the finalists will be voted upon by those who attend. The winner will be the first of what officials hope to be many more in the hall of fame.

“We believe the community should have a voice in selecting the honoree for this prestigious recognition,” DiCarlantonio stated. “Italian-Americans have influenced the Steubenville area in countless ways, and we want your input to help celebrate those who are most deserving.”

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 100th anniversary than by having someone be selected into our hall of fame,” he said.

To be considered for Steubenville’s Italian-American Hall of Fame, nominees must meet the following requirements: Be of Italian descent, be living, reside within a 40-mile radius of Steubenville and be someone who has made significant, measurable contributions to the local community or beyond.

DiCarlantonio explained people shouldn’t let the wording of “significant, measurable contributions” make them feel as if they cannot select a certain individual because they have not achieved astronomical contributions.

He noted the individual or individuals nominated need only have given back and contributed to the area in some way — be it on a local, state or national level. Nominees can include a notable educator, someone in the field of politics, a notable philanthropist or a business owner, DiCarlantonio continued.

Nominations are open and will close Jan. 5. Voting for the top five nominees will begin shortly after all submissions are in.

The final selection, made by popular vote during the gala, promises to be a highlight of the centennial celebrations, DiCarlantonio added.

“Join us in honoring the Italian-American spirit and legacy that has shaped our community,” he said.

To submit a nomination, visit the IACC’s website iaccsteubenville.org/100.

Lucia Scaffidi was there when things changed within the club.

The woman who has served as vice president since 2017 stated her husband, Pete, was a member of the IACC and she wasn’t allowed to attend with him.

This was something to her that simply did not make sense.

Scaffidi, who also serves as chairperson on the club’s scholarship committee and co-hosts the club’s weekly radio show, L’Ora Italiana along with DiCarlantonio, is someone who takes on multiple projects within the IACC, as she believes strongly in her heritage.

DiCarlantonio commented the club currently is 200 members strong, adding there were only 70 members when the club first began.

Scaffidi discussed those earlier years of the club when only her husband was a member. She stated the club did not accept women members from the 1920s through the 1960s.

She arrived in Steubenville in 1968, but it wasn’t until 1970 when she was permitted to become a club member.

She exclaimed she was very excited at the idea of now being able to share with others her roots and everything the club does for the community.

Her heart poured out the words of how beautiful she believes the club to be because it lets others know the culture in which she comes from.

She wishes another 100 years for the club to shine in Steubenville.

“We put in lots of work and there are just so many things we do,” Scaffidi commented, adding she loves America and she loves Italy.

The club annually holds a camp for elementary children entitled Campo Italiano.

This five-day program teaches more than 200 children about learning the Italian language, its culture and the history behind it all in a fun way.

The camp is always designed with a different theme, celebrating various regions of Italy and what they may be known for, such as its agriculture, food, manufacturing and historic figures.

The reasoning behind giving children that special attention is to teach them about their past. Where they come from. Who they are.

DiCarlantonio noted he does not want people thinking of Italian-Americans as a sterotype. Who just make pasta and pizza or who are like those shown on television.

“There is so much more we have done,” he said, noting for many people, the club is the only conduit for some people to learn about their heritage.

He hopes the community will take part in the voting process and make this first event a successful one.