Brick Township, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is proud to announce that we have chosen Dr. Maureen J. Persi and her husband Melindo A.Persi to serve as Co-Grand Marshals for this 28th Annual Celebration. This year’s selection was even more difficult because there were several worthy individual that were nominated and reviewed by the search committee. After carefully reviewing each of them, the search committee has chosen Maureen and Melindo Persi. This year’s Columbus Day Parade will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2019. The three-day Italian Festival begins on Friday, October 11, 2019.

"Every year we are faced with the difficult task of selecting a person from the many deserving candidates to serve as the ceremonial leader of our Parade and Italian Festival," said screening committee member Pamela Santamaria. "After thoroughly reviewing and considering all the candidates this year, the screening committee felt that although several terrific nominations were submitted, Maureen and Melindo Persi should jointly be our Grand Marshals. Their community involvement and leadership over the years in the educational field contributed to our decision. Especially for their leadership and efforts within Italian Organizations over the years." Santamaria added.

Maureen was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey and grew up in the Italian section known as Riverside. After graduating from William Paterson University, she began a successful career in education. Over the next 34 plus years she was instrumental in starting many new programs with her students. Maureen has been recognized many times over the years for those efforts. In 1990, she was the recipient of the Governor’s Recognition Award and most recently in October of 2018, she was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame. She was also selected three times by students to appear in Who’s Who Among Outstanding Teachers in America. In 1998 and 2003 Maureen was the recipient of the New Jersey Department of Education Best Practice Award.

Dr. Persi’s Community and Association involvement stretches from New Jersey to Florida. She has served on the Glen Ridge "MCADA" as well as the Fort Lauderdale Education Advisory Board. Additionally, Maureen has served or is currently serving on the following Associations: New Jersey Principal’s and Supervisor’s, New Jersey Professional Woman’s Association, Northeast Coalition of Educational Leaders, New Jersey Education Council of Education, New Jersey Schoolmaster’s Club, American Association of School Administrators and American Association of University Woman.

Melindo was born in Trenton, New Jersey. He followed in his mother’s footsteps and has also had a career in education that spans more than 50 years. He has also spent many years volunteering and giving back to the community. He has been a teacher sponsor for the American Red Cross, President of a local Kiwanis Club, Chairperson of a Red Cross Chapter and Chairperson of the Harriman Division of the Red Cross. During this time period he was named to Outstanding Young Men of America and Who’s Who in New Jersey. In 2007, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of School Administrators at their National Convention. He has been very active in UNICO. Most recently he has serve a President of Brick UNICO. Additionally, he served as UNICO National Treasurer and as a District Governor. He also served honorably in the United States Air Force.

Mr Persi’s community and Association involvement has or currently includes, but is not limited to the following: Passaic County Superintendent of Schools, President and Secretary of the New Jersey Association of Former County Superintendents, Secretary of the American Red Cross, Eastern USA, Chairperson of School Business Service Committee and County School Business Administrators. Especially important to Italian Organizations is his membership in the Italian American Sportsman’s Club of Trenton, New Jersey.

Parade Chairman Michael Blandina noted that a husband and wife has served as Grand Marshal in the past. This however, is the first time a husband and wife will serve at the same time as Co-Grand Marshals.

"Maureen and Melindo stood out among this year’s nominees because of their commitment in the education of our youth for combined time of more than a half a century. Additionally their effort as members of an Italian American Organization contributed to the decision" said screening committee member John Giavatto. "We are confident that these two extraordinary individuals will uphold the fine tradition established by their predecessors. We are looking forward to having Dr. Maureen Persi and Melindo Persi lead our Twenty-eighth annual celebration as Grand Marshal during this year’s celebration." Giavatto added.

Please join us as we celebrate the 28th Annual Parade and Festival, the past and future successes of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. We will also honor Maureen and Melindo Persi’s selection as our 2019 Co-Grand Marshals at our Annual Grand Marshal Reception. This special event will take place on Thursday July 11, 2019 at the White Sands Resort, Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey beginning at 6:30 pm. To commemorate the Reception and the selection of Dr. Maureen and Mr. Melindo Persi as Co-Grand Marshal, we will publish a souvenir ad journal that will be distributed at our annual reception and other events leading up to the parade. We invite you to take this opportunity to advertise your business, profession or add your congratulatory message to Maureen and Melindo in the journal.

Anyone interested in attending the reception, placing an ad in the ad journal, sponsoring the event, joining the Parade Committee or wishing any other information regarding this year’s Parade and Italian Festival and accompanying events may contact Michael at 732 477-6507 or e-mail the committee at info@columbusnj.org.