South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • A6

WHS grad receives first scholarship in honor of soldier Nadia Sorocka NSOROCKATRIBUNE.COM When Gaiy and Lori Barlettano talk about their son, Cpl. Michael Anthony D'Alessandro, 841th Engineering Battalion, United States Army, it is clear he was the type of man who would help and do anything for anyone. "He was always the most loving kid," Lori Barlettano said. "He just always knew when you needed a hug or would listen when you needed to talk. He always had his arm around you when he was near you, always kissing you.

That is what I miss the most." But on July 2, 2012, the Barlettanos lives were tragically changed with D'Alessandro's sudden death. In the wake of the tragedy, struggling to cope with the loss of their son, the couple took the advice of an Army chaplain. "He told us instead of flowers why not create a scholarship in Michael's honor. It was a way to keep his memory alive," Gary Barlettano said. "I went to my bank and they helped me set up the fund.

Then the year-long process of gathering funds and creating a scholarship began. It is Wellington was his home." The recipient of the first CPL Michael D'Alessandro Memorial Scholarship Program is Jessica Costana, who graduated from Wellington Community High School earlier this month. "I was so honored to receive this scholarship," she said. Throughout high school, Costana was a member of the marketing academy at Wellington High School. She competed with DECA, an organization geared toward preparing students in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

"I was able to compete at the state level," she said. Although she has excelled academically through her high school years, it was Costana's ability to overcome chronic illness that made her stand out in the decision process. "Because of my illness I missed a lot of school," she said. "I didn't always have a 4.0 GPA, but I never gave up. I always worked hard and continued to want to learn." In the fall she will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.

but not before she attends sum- such a hard thing to lose a son; we wanted something good to come out of it." During the initial process Gary Barlettano remembered a time that D'Alessandro, as a teenager, had gone to the movies in Royal Palm Beach and had the chance to meet Donald Trump and Regis Philbin. "I decided to write a letter to Trump," he said. "I told him about how that meeting had been exciting for him and about our loss. I also told him about our scholarship." To his surprise he received a letter back from Trump along with a check for $1,000. Trump also voiced interest and became personally involved along with staff in the scholarship, according to Gary Barlettano.

Trump, who helped set scholarship criteria, along with local attorney Kara Rockenbach who also gave $1,000, made the final decision. "Trump wanted the award to go to someone who was interested in pursuing business," he said. "We wanted it to be a student at Wellington Community High School. Even though Michael had graduated from Palm Beach Central he had always felt like MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Jessica Costana, right, who graduated from Wellington Community High School earlier this month, is the first recipient of the CPL Michael D'Alessandro Memorial Scholarship Program, created by Lori and Gary Barlettano, left, to honor their son who died last summer. Among her academic pursuits, Costana competed with her school's DECA chapter.

PhotoNadia Sorocka 0) learn about him; it almost feels like I know him." For the Barlettanos it has been a healing experience. "I think Michael is so happy with this scholarship," Lori Barlettano said. sandro's memory as the recipient of the scholarship. "When I filled out my application I never knew this would be the result," she said. "It has been such an honor to meet Michael's parents.

To mer classes at Florida State University where she also was accepted. Although Costana said she was proud that her name will be on a plaque in Donald Trump's office building she is most proud to carry on D'Ales 00 CM I -im News updates sent right to your phone To get Sun Sentinel breaking news alerts text NEWS to 23539 Breaking Standard msg and data rates SunSentinel apply. Text STOP to quit. HELP for info..