The Italian American Cultural Club is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization with the mission to "Keep The Heritage Alive" in the Steubenville and Upper Ohio Valley Area. Through Member Networking Meetings, Fundraisers, Youth Educational Programs, and much more, there are multiple examples of how we are fulfilling our mission each and every day.
Experience Italy. Discover Your Heritage.
The Italian American Cultural Club of Steubenville (IACC) is proud to partner with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) to provide a local college student with the opportunity to participate in the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery.
The Voyage of Discovery is an all-expenses-paid educational and cultural experience in Italy, hosted and facilitated by NIAF. The program gives young Italian Americans an extraordinary opportunity to experience Italy firsthand, explore their heritage, strengthen their connection to Italian culture, and discover what it means to carry that heritage forward for a new generation.
For the Summer 2027 Voyage of Discovery, the IACC will select one student as its affiliate designee through a local application and evaluation process. Applicants will be considered based on academic achievement, involvement with Campo Italiano, family connection to the IACC, and a personal essay exploring their Italian-American identity and the potential impact of the Voyage of Discovery. Preference is also given to students who have not previously traveled to Italy.
Applicants must either reside within 30 miles of Steubenville, Ohio, or have had an affiliation with the Italian American Cultural Club of Steubenville as of October 1, 2026, such as participation in Campo Italiano or other IACC programming. Applicants must also satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements established by NIAF.
Applications are open October 3 through November 15, 2026.
Selection by the IACC serves as the Club's designation of a student for the program. Final eligibility, acceptance, and participation are determined by NIAF and are subject to NIAF's requirements.
Learn More About the Voyage of Discovery
Before applying for the IACC's local designation, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery, including the experience, current eligibility requirements, and program details, directly from the National Italian American Foundation.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Complete the application below to be considered for the Italian American Cultural Club of Steubenville's 2027 Voyage of Discovery designation.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2026
How Applications Are Evaluated
The Italian American Cultural Club of Steubenville wants every applicant to understand how applications are reviewed and how the final selection is made. Eligible applications are evaluated using a 100-point scoring system, with 40 points based on objective application information and 60 points based on the required essay.
Academic Achievement — 20 Points
Points are awarded based on the applicant's cumulative college GPA:
3.75–4.00: 20 points
3.50–3.74: 17 points
3.25–3.49: 14 points
3.00–3.24: 11 points
2.75–2.99: 8 points
2.50–2.74: 5 points
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required.
Campo Italiano Participation — 15 Points
Previous participation in the IACC's Campo Italiano is recognized as part of the selection process. Participation as either a Camper or Youth Leader qualifies.
3 or more years: 15 points
2 years: 12 points
1 year: 8 points
No participation: 0 points
Each year is counted only once, regardless of the applicant's role during that year. Campo Italiano participation is not required to apply.
Immediate Family IACC Membership — 5 Points
Applicants receive 5 points if a parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent is a current member of the Italian American Cultural Club of Steubenville.
Applicants without a qualifying family member receive 0 points but remain fully eligible to apply. Having multiple qualifying relatives does not result in additional points.
Essay — 60 Points
The essay represents the largest portion of the evaluation. Each essay is independently reviewed and scored by members of the Selection Committee. Reviewers focus on substance, thoughtfulness, authenticity, and demonstrated connection to Italian-American heritage. Writing mechanics affect scoring only when they materially interfere with communication.
Understanding of Italian-American Identity — 15 Points
The strongest essays provide a thoughtful, personal, and well-developed explanation of what Italian-American identity means to the applicant. Reviewers are looking for an individual perspective that goes beyond broad or general statements.
Personal Reflection, Heritage & Authenticity — 15 Points
Applicants should meaningfully reflect on their family, heritage, traditions, community, and personal experiences. Specific examples and an authentic personal voice are important.
Connection to Culture, Family & Community — 10 Points
Applicants should demonstrate how Italian or Italian-American culture has influenced their family, traditions, values, community, experiences, or personal identity.
Potential Impact of the Voyage of Discovery — 15 Points
Applicants should thoughtfully explain how participating in the Voyage of Discovery would deepen their understanding of their heritage and how the experience could influence the way they carry that heritage forward in the future.
Communication & Organization — 5 Points
Essays should be clear, organized, engaging, and easy to follow. Minor writing errors will not significantly affect the score unless they interfere with the applicant's ability to communicate their ideas.
A Note About Your Essay
Your essay must be 500–750 words and entirely your own work. The Selection Committee wants to hear your experiences, your perspective, and your voice.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not be used to develop, write, edit, correct, or revise the essay. Applicants are required to attest to this when submitting their application. If AI use is detected in an essay, the essay will not be considered by the Selection Committee.
Final Selection
The objective application score of up to 40 points is combined with the applicant's averaged essay score of up to 60 points, resulting in a maximum final score of 100 points.
The applicant with the highest final score will ordinarily be selected as the IACC's affiliate designee. In the event of a tie, the Selection Committee will apply the established tie-breaking process.
Previous travel to Italy does not make an applicant ineligible. Consistent with the program criteria, preference is given to students who have not previously traveled to Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIAF Voyage of Discovery?
The Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery is an educational and cultural experience in Italy offered by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). The program gives young Italian Americans an opportunity to experience Italy firsthand while strengthening their connection to Italian culture, heritage, and identity.
Is the Voyage of Discovery really all-expenses paid?
The Voyage of Discovery is an all-expenses-paid program hosted and facilitated by NIAF. Applicants should review NIAF's current program information for details regarding what is included and any individual responsibilities associated with participation.
Who can apply through the Italian American Cultural Club?
Applicants must either reside within 30 miles of Steubenville, Ohio, OR have had an affiliation with the Italian American Cultural Club of Steubenville as of October 1, 2026, such as participation in Campo Italiano or other IACC programming. Applicants must also meet the applicable eligibility requirements established by NIAF.
Do I have to be an IACC member to apply?
No. IACC membership is not required to submit an application.
Do I have to be a NIAF member?
You do not have to already be a NIAF member when submitting the IACC application. However, if selected as the IACC designee, you must become a NIAF member as required to complete the NIAF application process.
What if I have already traveled to Italy?
You may still apply. Previous travel to Italy does not make you ineligible. However, consistent with NIAF's program criteria, preference is given to students who have not previously traveled to Italy.
What are the age and college requirements?
Under NIAF's eligibility requirements, participants must be between 18 and 23 years old at the time of travel and must have been a full-time college student during the semester preceding the trip. Applicants are responsible for meeting all current NIAF eligibility requirements.
Is there a minimum GPA?
Yes. Applicants must have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 scale. A current unofficial college or university transcript must be submitted with the application.
How will the IACC select its student?
Eligible applicants are evaluated using a 100-point selection process. Academic achievement accounts for 20 points, Campo Italiano participation for 15 points, qualifying immediate-family IACC membership for 5 points, and the applicant's essay for 60 points. The essay is independently evaluated by members of the IACC Selection Committee.
What is required for the essay?
Applicants must submit a 500–750 word essay addressing their Italian-American identity, the role their heritage, family, community, traditions, and experiences have played in shaping that identity, and how participating in the Voyage of Discovery would deepen that connection and influence how they carry their heritage forward.
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write or edit my essay?
No. The essay must represent the applicant's own thoughts, experiences, writing, and voice. Applicants are required to attest that Artificial Intelligence was not used in the development, writing, editing, correction, or revision of the essay. If AI use is detected, the essay will not be considered by the Selection Committee.
Does participating in Campo Italiano give me an advantage?
Campo Italiano participation is one component of the selection process and may earn up to 15 points. However, previous participation in Campo Italiano is not required to apply.
Does having a family member in the IACC give me an advantage?
An applicant with a current IACC-member parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent may receive 5 points. Applicants without a qualifying family member are still eligible to apply, and multiple qualifying relatives do not result in additional points.
When is the application deadline?
Applications opened October 3, 2026, and completed applications and required materials must be submitted by November 15, 2026.
When will the selected student be notified?
The IACC plans to privately notify its selected student on December 1, 2026. Public recognition will occur only after the student has been accepted by NIAF.
If I am selected by the IACC, am I automatically accepted for the trip?
No. Selection by the IACC means that you have been chosen as the Club's affiliate designee. Final eligibility, application completion, acceptance, and participation are determined by NIAF. IACC designation does not guarantee acceptance into the Voyage of Discovery.
Where can I learn more about the Voyage of Discovery?
Visit the National Italian American Foundation's official Voyage of Discovery page for additional information about the program and NIAF's current requirements.