MILFORD COLUMBUS COMMITTEE
MILFORD COLUMBUS COMMITTEE
NEWS & EVENTS
The Milford Columbus Committee
2024 Dinner Dance
Saturday, October 26, 2024
2024 Award Recipients
Italian American of the Year
Dr. Anna Cutaia
Born in the Bronx to Sicilian immigrants, Dr. Anna Cutaia's upbringing was steeped in family, tradition, and the joy of good food. Her journey in education began with personal challenges in elementary school, which were transformed by a teacher who sparked her passion for learning. This pivotal experience fueled her lifelong commitment to education, which continues to shape her career today. Outside work, Anna finds joy in cooking and preparing traditional Sicilian dishes with her parents, Filippo and Maria Cutaia. Anna is the proud mother of a son, Giovanni Cutaia, who has committed his career to working with young people with autism. One of her favorite pastimes include gathering around the dinner table with her parents, son and his wife, Adrianna, and her brother, Giovanni, sister-in-law Maree, and nephew and niece, Joseph and Alessia.
Dr. Cutaia holds the position of Superintendent of Schools in Milford. She began her appointment in Milford on August 1, 2018. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount St. Mary College in 1991 and a master’s in education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997. While working as an educator for several years, Dr. Cutaia continued her postgraduate studies and received her certificate in the Executive Leadership Program (2007), followed by a Doctorate in Education (2013) from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Cutaia is involved in many professional and local organizations. Since 2014, she has actively participated in the Superintendent's Network of the Partners for Educational Leadership. She served on the NEAG School of Education Alumni Board at UCONN. She also serves on the local boards of the Milford Chamber of Commerce and the Milford United Way.
Harkening back to her years in teaching, Dr. Cutaia received numerous awards for her exemplary contributions to young people and school communities, including Lakewood Elementary’s Teacher of the Year 1997. In 2021, Dr. Cutaia's exceptional leadership was recognized when she was named ‘Superintendent of the Year’ by the Connecticut Parent Teacher Association. Recently, she was recognized with the 2024 Connecticut Arts Administrators Association Arts Advocacy Award. These prestigious awards represent her unwavering commitment to education and significant contributions to the field.
Special Achievement
Lucian Terranova
Lucian has been a cherished resident of Milford for over 42 years. He worked his way up the ranks at United Parcel Service with a career spanning 30 years. Since retiring in1995, he has made significant contributions to his community through his extensive volunteer work with his local Catholic parishes and with organizations such as the United Way and the Red Cross. His commitment to service is matched by his passion for travel, having explored various corners of the globe, including visits Australia & Antarctica. A dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, Lucian is a true beloved patriarch of the family. And his favorite travel times are on Disney vacations with his family. Lucian's deep roots in Milford and his gift of gab have made him a well-respected member in the community.
Special Recognition
Christopher Carveth, Esq.
Christopher B. Carveth is a native of Montreal, Quebec and moved to Milford in 1960. After graduating from Milford High School in 1968 he attended the University of Bridgeport During his junior year at the University of Bridgeport he acted as a research intern for the Connecticut State Senate in Hartford and in 1971 he began an association with Congressman Stewart B. McKinney (R-4 Conn.), first as an intern and then parttime staff member while attending law school. He was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in 1972.
Attorney Carveth’s legal education was received at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. In 1973 he was accepted to the University of Notre Dame’s London Centre for Legal Studies where he spent his second year studying international and comparative law. In 1974 he served as a legal assistant at the U, S, Department of Justice Law Enforcement Assistance Administration and the Office of Telecommunications, Department of Commerce. Upon receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1975 Attorney Carveth returned to Connecticut with offices in Bridgeport as an associate to John J. McNamara and his own office in Milford.
In 1976 Christopher joined attorneys Gerald F. Stevens and John W. Moran of Stevens & Moran. The firm became a new partnership in 1980 as Stevens, Moran, Caroll & Carveth and then Carveth & Foley in 2011 through 2021. Chris moved his solo practice to Orange in 2021 where he continues to practice. His professional accomplishments were recognized in 2023 with conferral of the Milford Bar Association Lifetime Achievement award, Chris has also held the rank of adjunct associate professor at Sacred Heart University and the University of Bridgeport and is a licensed private pilot.
Long active in community and civic activities, Chris is a 49-year member of the Milford Kiwanis Club where he has served as President and Lt. Governor. He also served for 20 years as past President and Board member of the Connecticut Center for Child Development (now Milestones Behavioral Services) of Milford & Orange. He continues to serve as a Town of Orange Police Commissioner.
Chris enjoys international travel with his wife of 30 years, Kimberly Sweeney-Carveth, Esq., whose maternal family hails from Caserta and who shares his love of Italy’s culture and history, not to mention their first date was in Chris’ red Alfa Romeo, one of the eight Italian cars he has owned. Whether on a winding Amalfi coast road or among the cypress lined roads of Tuscany, the lure of Italy keeps calling.
Chris is the proud father of Emily Carveth, MSW and Elizabeth Carveth-Nunes, both of Orange, and “gramps” to Colton Nunes, his frequent wingman.
Scholarship Recipients
Chase Bryant
Chase is a 2024 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Trumbull where he excelled academically and athletically. Chase graduated at the top of his class with a GPA of 94% and played football and 4 years of basketball. This year he represented the varsity team as Captain. Chase lives in Milford and is the youngest of 3 children to Rick and April. His oldest sister Julia was a 2018 recipient of the Columbus Committee Scholarship. In the fall Chase will attend Ohio State University to major in sport industries and hopes to pursue a career in the professional sports field.
Michael Roney
Michael is a recent Fairfield College Preparatory School graduate, will attend the University of South Carolina, where he will pursue a major in Real Estate. Michael was a member of the Fairfield Prep football and rugby teams. He was selected for membership in the National Honor Society, as a Peer Tutor, and as a member of the Fairfield Prep Business and Stock Market Clubs. Michael's commitment to service included volunteering at the First Tee, Fairchild Wheeler, where he mentored young golfers, and a service trip to Appalachia. Michael extends his gratitude to the Milford Columbus Committee for their generous scholarship.
Gianna Gagliardi
Throughout Gianna’s time at Jonathan Law High School she was a vibrant member of the community, she was captain of the girl’s swim and dive team and was a part of other clubs such as the SAVE promise club, Model United Nations, The National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Social Studies National Honor Society. In addition to club involvement, she also volunteered frequently, accumulating over 175 service hours which allowed her to graduate with distinction. Lastly, Gianna worked part time at a local restaurant and as a lifeguard for the Milford public school’s district. Gianna is attending Nova Southeastern University where she will be studying nursing with the hopes of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
Gianni Dante Troia
was born on September 7th, 2006, in the city of Coral Springs, Florida. He recently graduated high school from Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, Connecticut. In the fall, he will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University where he is still undecided on his major and will be playing on the men’s soccer team. Growing up, he always loved soccer the most regardless of what all the other kids played. He started out at Milford United Soccer Club, then going to Goal Sports, and then finishing at Inter Connecticut Football Club out of Norwalk. In his senior year, he had the honor of being chosen for the CSCA All State soccer team. When he is not practicing with his team, he is either on the field with his friends, at the gym, or spending time with his family and friends. Being a full-time student, he dedicates a large sum of his time to his studies, he is a good student who strives for the best he can do and always wants to learn more. Having two older siblings, his sister Brianna who is 25, and his brother Lorenzo who is 22, he would always compete and want to be the best out of them, even if it didn’t always work out. Having older siblings and parents who put their heart into what they do, made him a hard worker in anything he does. Having a very large Italian family, it formed him to be an outgoing person who is open to speaking to anyone and trying new things, even if they were scary.
Frances Navarra
Frances Navarra’s journey began in Queens, New York, where she spent her formative years immersed in the vibrant Italian culture brought to life by her father. His stories of Italy, filled with rich traditions and values, shaped Frances's identity from a young age. This cultural foundation not only provided comfort but also inspired Frances to embrace her background as she navigated the diverse world around her.
At the age of twelve, she made a significant transition when she moved to Milford, Connecticut, and then later started high school at Joseph A Foran. During her high school years, she participated in both swimming and wrestling. She also took seven AP courses, earning an AP Capstone Diploma. Additionally she participated in clubs such as women empowerment club and interact club.
What stands out most about Frances is her relentless drive to succeed. Whether she's tackling academic challenges or pursuing personal goals, she continuously pushes herself beyond limits. Her determination is evident in every project she undertakes; she approaches each task with an unwavering commitment to excellence. This characteristic not only defines her but also inspires those around her.
She currently attends the University of Connecticut (UConn) and is pursuing a degree in Political Science with a focus on Pre Law. With determination and ambition as driving forces, she is eager to affect meaningful change in society.