For 46 years, St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church has sponsored the Italian Festival. One major initiative of the Festival was the establishment of a scholarship fund, now named in honor of its founder, Father Casto Marrapese.
The purpose of the 2026 Father Casto Marrapese Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance and encouragement to a student of Italian descent to pursue a course of study in an accredited two- or four-year college or  university in the U.S. The scholarship award itself will be paid directly to the institution. Seven (7) seniors attending a high school in the Central Ohio area, and who plan to begin their collegiate studies, directly after high school, will each be awarded a $2,000 Scholarship. The scholarship assures the students of financial aid only after the students have been accepted and enrolled in the school of their choice. An additional scholarship will be awarded to a student attending a post high school technical or career school. We ask for your assistance to publicize the Marrapese Scholarship throughout your senior class. Any student who qualifies may apply for the scholarship. Please duplicate and distribute the enclosed forms as needed.