The Columbus Lodge #2143, a member of the Order Sons of Italy in America, is now accepting resumes for their 24th annual scholarship program for graduating seniors with a 75 percent or above average grade and who is attending either Farmingdale, Massapequa, Bethpage and Plainedge High School. The lodge will give out $500 scholarships to eight lucky students (two from each high school).

Students can pick up an application at their guidance counselor's office in their school beginning March 1. All applications must be submitted by May 1, no exceptions allowed, and students do not have to be of Italian decent to submit an application. For additional information, one may contact Scholarship Chairman Ed Bochynski Sr. at 694-5490.

The funding for the scholarships come from the volunteer work of the Columbus Lodge Scholarship Journal Committee, this year chaired by North Massapequa resident Pete Gisonda. The journal gives local merchants, members of the Columbus Lodge, friends and family the opportunity to participate by sponsoring a gold page, a full page, half page or quarter page. Anyone who wishes to sponsor a page for the journal is urged to contact Gisonda at 798-3972.

The Columbus Lodge #2143 is a not-for-profit fraternal organization that offers its members various social and recreational activities, as well as community and charity involvement. For more information on becoming part of this organization, one may call Steve LaScala at 735-2535.