The ceremony of delivery of the prizes of the “Nicholas Green” competition, an initiative dedicated to the promotion of solidarity and organ donation, aimed at the students of the Sicilian schools, took place today, on Monday 6 October, in the Flags of Palazzo Zanca. In the presence of numerous students, teachers and school managers, the Councilor for Education, Liana Cannata and the mayor’s expert for school relations, University, Stello Vadalà, attended the municipal administration. The members of the judicial commission were also present, chaired by the manager of the Regional School Office – Office VII – Territorial Area of Messina, Leon Zingales, and composed of Agostino Mallamace, president of the Italian Association of organ donors (Aido) – Provincial Section of Messina; Gaetano Mammana, regional vice president Aido Sicilia; The teachers Daniela Mari (Iis “La Farina – Basile”), Giusy Miragliotta (IC Gioiosa Marea) and Agata Tringali (usr Messina).
The competition, financed by the Regional Department of Education and Professional Training, was called pursuant to Circular no. 19 of 18 September 2024 and art. 2 of the LR 1 March 1995, n. 15, which establishes nine annual prizes named after “Nicholas Green” in each Sicilian province.
The prizes, worth 365 euros for primary school, 500 euros for secondary school and 700 euros for secondary school, are assigned for work on the theme of human solidarity and, in particular, the donation of organs and fabrics for transplanting purposes, in memory of the little Nicholas Green, whose tragic affair gave rise to an extraordinary testimony of love and altruism. The award ceremony is traditionally held in conjunction with the day of organ donors, testifying to the joint commitment of institutions, schools and associations in spreading the culture of the gift.
In his introductory greeting, the Cannata councilor, bringing the greetings of the mayor Federico Basile, engaged out of office for concomitant institutional commitments, expressed a heartfelt thanks to the students, to the teachers and all the participating schools: “This competition represents a precious opportunity to reflect on a deep theme like that of the donation. The story of Nicholas Green, although born from an immense pain, has generated an act of love that continues to an act of love that continues to an act of love Save lives. This must make us reflect and continue the path of awareness so that the culture of the gift is increasingly widespread and shared. more solidarity and capable of transforming pain into hope too. “
The expert Vadalà underlined the importance of the educational role of the school and the collaboration with Aido: “It is not easy to testify the importance of the gift of organs, but it is a theme that deeply appeals to us as a community. I wish to address sincere thanks to the AIDO, with whom I collaborate with great pleasure and esteem, and that, with its constant awareness work, contributes to spreading values of altruism and civil liability that our boys must feel their own. gift, we inevitably remember little Nicholas, tragically disappeared for a fatality: thanks to the generosity of his parents, other lives have been saved.
The manager Zingales, in addressing his applause to students and teachers, said: “I invite everyone to spread the message of the donation, to lavish and support those who are in difficulty, for example classmates, elderly or needy people. The proximity and a hug are fundamental gestures; the essential message is to use your time well, to be empathetic and to become a torch of hope. Sensitivity to a complex but fundamental theme with this prize, the schools of the province of Messina are distinguished by commitment and creativity, making the value of solidarity concrete “.
The representatives of the Aido reiterated the importance of collaboration with the world of school, underlining how the awareness of the donation represents not only a choice of life and an act of civilization, but also a fundamental educational path for the new generations. They highlighted the value of the work of the volunteers, the contribution of schools in the spread of the culture of the gift and the positive impact that small gestures of solidarity can have on the community.
The teachers members of the judicial commission, Mari, Miragliotta and Tringali, illustrated their technical approach to the evaluation of the works, highlighting the complexity and variety of the projects presented. They underlined the importance of considering not only the creativity and originality of the documents, but also the consistency with the theme of donation and the ability of students to express concepts of solidarity, altruism and social responsibility. Thanks to their didactic and professional experience, the teachers contributed to identifying the most deserving works, carefully evaluating the graphic, multimedia and textual aspects, and offering students a recognition that rewards both the commitment and the educational maturity demonstrated.
Winners of the “Nicholas Green” prize – school year 2024/2025
Primary school
IC Torrenova Multimedia Product – Classes IV de, “The journey of a gift” multimedia product – classes V AB, “gives life”
Venetic ic multimedia product – Giorgianni Daniele, “The heart never stops beating” multimedia product – Matteo La Fauci, class IV A, “donating the organs is important”
IC BROLO ADEMBLY GRAPHIC – RACHELE RUSSO, “BOOK NICHOLAS” “GRAPHIC Elaborate – Giulio Russo,” For a new life “
I grade secondary school
IC Novara of Sicily Multimedia Product – Classes IA, II A and II C of Furnari Graphic elaborate – Mery Molino, “Put your heart” Graphic elaborate – Paolo Cambria, II B, “Everyone may need”
IC Peace of the apple elaborate graphic – IF SSIG class “G. Marconi”, “All the works of the world” elaborate graphic elaborate – Class Ia Ssig “G. Marconi”, “Give is a sign of hope” graphic elaborate – Giulia D’Amico and Luca Giorgianni, “The roots of love”
IC Villafranca Tirrena Graphic elaborate – Martina D’Amico, II A, “La Luce di Nicholas” Graphic elaborate – Silvana D’Angelo, II and, “The seven lives of Nicholas”
Second grade secondary school
Iis Verona Trento multimedia elaborate – VQ class, “The puzzle of life”
Artistic high school “small” comic – Fulvio Miceli, Giorgio Ferretti, Fabiana Lipomi, “Nicholas”
Classic high school “Maurolico” story – Carlo Mangano, IV A, “The last letter” Poetry – Michele Lupo, “The canvas of men” poetry – Francesco Pilato, VC, “Existence”.