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Paola Imbrogno, a ticket agent at Alitalia Airlines pursuing a Bachelor
of Arts degree at Loyola University in Chicago, was crowned Miss Puglia
1999 at a sparkling and entertaining event held on Feb. 28 at Porretta's
Banquet Hall in Chicago. For the first time, this local event in the
Chicago area, was sponsored by the Regional Association of Pugliesi
in America[ARPA]. The event had been promoted by the Mola Foundation
of Chicago in previous years. ARPA, with a broader regional scope,
offered a larger reach for this celebration of Adriatic Beauty in
the Midwest of the US.
In addition to Imbrogno, four other beauties with ancestral roots in
Puglia, Italy, were selected as finalist. They are Maria Mazzoccoli
(first runner-up); Teresa Maria Giannelli (second runner-up);
Filomena Naccarata (third runner-up); and April Volpe (fourth runner-up).
"It was a wonderful event," said Joe DeBenedictis, president of ARPA.
"I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved: the committee
members, the contestants, and all of the people who helped. We have
already gotten inquiries from people asking about the contest next year."
"People were thrilled to be part of the event," said Mariangela Palumbo,
pageant coordinator and secretary of ARPA. "They were thoroughly entertained.
They raved about the show, the food, the decorations, the entertainment,
and the beautiful contestants. Everything came together well; it was wonderful."
Anthony Quaranta opened the evening by singing the Italian and American
national anthems. The show proceeded as have previous Miss Puglia pageants,
with all of the contestants—10 this year—presenting themselves to the audience
before moving on to the casual wear and evening gown portions of the evening.
This was followed by a question-and-answer session that whittled the list of
girls down to five finalists. Another question was then asked before the
judges reached their final decision. The judges included notables and special
guests: Pat Michalski of the Governor's Office of Ethnic Affairs; choreographer
Marilyn Cusimano Fredericks; Frank Binetti, vice president of LaSalle Bank
Home Mortage Department; Florian Barbi, chairman of the First National Bank
of Wheaton; bandleader and singer Paul Ciminello; and Dora Barbi, Florian's wife.
Imbrogno took the familiar stroll down the runway, wearing a "Miss Puglia"
sash and a rhinestone tiara. She was joined by previous Miss Puglias: Nicole
Parente (1998); Nancy Bozzi (1997); and Arcangela Rago (1996). Bozzi
choreographed special dance sequences for herself, fellow dancer Gabriella
Del Re and the contestants. Canadian singer Paul London and his brother Sam
wowed the crowd, performing Italian and America tunes. And, as always, Pat
Capriati did a magnificent job as the evening's master of ceremonies.
As Miss Puglia, Imbrogno won a cash prize of $3,000 and a trophy. The first
runner-up won $2,000 and the second runner-up took home $1,000. Imbrogno will
also represent the Pugliese community at various local events such as the
Columbus Day Parade in Chicago and the Festa Italiana in Milwaukee.
[Adapted, with permission, from article in local paper: FRA NOI, pg. 67,
Vol. 38, Issue 04, April 1999.]
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ARPA
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