Marcello Giovanni Fodera Jr. received the Mark and Donna Macdonald Family Foundation Scholarship on June 10. Erick Rubalcava, principal of St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy (PMA) made the presentation at the St. Anthony of Padua School 8th Grade graduation ceremony in Gardena.
Fodera is the son of Marcello and Fatima Fodera.
Marcello Giovanni Fodera Jr. received the Mark and Donna Macdonald Family Foundation Scholarship on June 10. Erick Rubalcava, principal of St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy (PMA) made the presentation at the St. Anthony of Padua School 8th Grade graduation ceremony in Gardena.
Fodera is the son of Marcello and Fatima Fodera.
The foundation, established by the Macdonald Family, (owners of the Wisconsin Woodchucks), offers an annual scholarship of $5000 per year to incoming 9th graders, beginning in their freshman year and continuing through the recipient’s senior year at St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy (PMA). The scholarship Fodera was awarded is valued at $20,000 over his four-year career at the high school.
Principal Angela Grey of St. Anthony of Padua School’s Principal had high praise for Fodera.
“Marcello has been through a lot this year and has overcome many obstacles,” Grey said. “Yet he persevered and made the Honor Roll. He is also an outstanding soccer player. In addition to the Macdonald award, he also received the L.A. Galaxy Sportsmanship Award on July 4, 2015 by the L.A. Galaxy and So Cal Honda Dealers. I believe Marcello has been selected for these accolades because he exhibits sportsmanship and leadership.”
Being an L.A. Galaxy Sportsmanship Award recipient means an athlete honors the game on and off the field.
“Marcello’s success in the classroom has translated to his success in the real world,” Grey added. “I am extremely proud of Marcello for being a shining example to others, as a product of St. Anthony of Padua School, and I look forward to all that he will accomplish in his bright future.”
The Macdonald Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship Fund was designed to recognize students who have demonstrated strength of character, integrity, and citizenship. This award is granted to a dedicated, hard working individual, who displays consistent academic growth and a positive attitude towards school, a commitment to a spirit of teamwork and collaboration by a high level of participation in extra-curricular and sportsmanship in extra-curricular activities during the middle school years.
“We found, in the raising of our four children, that young adults who work through high school and college are more serious and disciplined students. A job, combined with an education and extracurricular activities, taught our children to be organized and disciplined,” said the Macdonalds in a news release from the Community Foundation. “This is why we have endowed this work ethic scholarship fund – to encourage students to develop work skills while in school, and to focus on the developing life skills along with a classroom education.”
