Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. and former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr. flank Astoria Civic Association board members and Judge Vallone scholarship winners. Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr. and members of the Astoria Civic Association presented 19 high school seniors with college scholarships on June 5.

The students, who attend high schools across the city but reside in Western Queens, gathered for a ceremony at Riccardo’s by the Bridge to receive their awards, which ranged from $4,000 to $750. The awards are presented in memory of Judge Charles J. Vallone, father of Vallone Sr. and grandfather of Vallone Jr.

This year’s top scholarship winners were Paul Gallagher of Monsignor McClancy Memorial H.S. in East Elmhurst, who won $4,000, and Paola Sirica of St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria, who received $3,000.

In total, the Astoria Civic Association distributed $28,000 in scholarships this year.

“The cost of college has gone through the roof. When it comes to covering these expenses, every dollar counts, and parents and students need all the help they can get,” Vallone Jr. said. “The members of the Astoria Civic Board of Directors volunteer their time, and almost every cent this great organization raises from local community residents goes toward these scholarships. Both the award recipients and the community should be very proud.”

Judge Vallone founded the Astoria Civic Association with a group of concerned neighbors in 1928. The association was incorporated by the state of New York in 1933, and Judge Vallone served as its first executive chairman. After Judge Vallone died in 1967, his widow, Leah Vallone, founded the scholarship fund in his memory. The Vallone Scholarship fund has grown to be one of the largest private scholarship funds in New York state.