LEONIDAS FOUNDATION AND DON BOSCO PREPARATORY CELEBRATE FOURTH L.E.O. PROGRAM PINNING CEREMONY

​Ramsey, NJ~ The Leonidas Foundation and Don Bosco Preparatory High School were proud to welcome the fourth cohort of school's L.E.O. Program at its annual Pinning Ceremony. The event commemorating the start of the program  for the incoming students was held at the school's Ramsey, NJ campus.

Forty rising seniors were ceremoniously pinned in recognition of the January 2021 commencement of their L.E.O. Program course. In the presence of current and graduated L.E.O. Program students, family, friends, Leonidas Foundation representatives, and members of the Don Bosco Prep religious and lay communities, the students heard testimony from their peers who have experienced the course along with the best wishes from administration. The ceremony, normally held in October, was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Following a welcome blessing by Fr. Lou Konopelski, SDP, students were greeted by Prof. John Esposito, Director of the L.E.O. Program. Leonidas Foundation President Matthew Perricone, whose late best friend is the program's namesake, offered a powerful call to action expressing the Foundation and the school's commitment to investing in the students since establishing the L.E.O. Program. He provided an overview of the coursework and activities to expect during the course, including the Summer Leadership Conference coming up later this month in Washington, D.C.

The inductees were addressed by veteran entrepreneur and longtime L.E.O. Program supporter Joey Mac Dizon, Co-Founder and CEO of The Mobile Cigar Lounge and Belleau Wood Cigars in New Jersey. After earning his bachelors degree at Norwich University, Mr. Mac Dizon served six years in the United States Marine Corps as  a Rifleman, including a deployment to Iraq. Mr. Mac Dizon is an avid supporter of Verteran Owned Businesses and non-profit organizations, and his business is currently expanding nationally.

The incoming L.E.O. Program cohort then participated in the formal pinning exercise. The ceremony was administered by Prof. Esposito and Leonidas Foundation Vice President Alex Cucciniello, Treasurer Susan Perricone, and Charitable Initiatives Director Kathryn Grifonetti.

One of the highlights of the evening came when a former L.E.O. Program student spoke to those gathered about their experiences in L.E.O. Joseph Capone, a member of the inaugural L.E.O. cohort, shared his experience as a former L.E.O. student and conveyed the gravity of the opportunity that L.E.O. offers the students involved.

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