Bridgeport's Elleyse Gemondo Named Regina Maria XXXV
By Julie Perine on April 20, 2013
At tonight’s West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival Gala, Bridgeport’s Elleyse Gemondo was announced as Regina Maria XXXV.A 2010 graduate of Bridgeport High School, Gemondo received a medallion from fellow BHS alum Victoria Smith, Regina Maria XXXIV. The new queen will be crowned during this year’s festival, to be held Labor Day weekend in downtown Clarksburg.
Gemondo was chosen from a pool of several candidates by the festival’s queen committee. She expressed interest to serve as Regina Maria to honor her Italian heritage and her family.
Her lineage is traced back to both her maternal and paternal roots. Her paternal great-grandfather, Francesco Giuseppe Girimonte (Frank Joseph Gemondo), came to America in the early 1900s to make a better life for himself. He was from Siderno Marina, a town located in the province of Calabria. After arriving at Ellis Island, his name was changed from Girimonte to Gemondo. He relocated to Harrison County to work in the coal mines. Gemondo’s maternal great-grandparents, Gioanna Paclucci and Antonio Berardi, are from Carovilli, a province of Compobasso, Italy. In 1904, they sailed for 30 days before arriving on Ellis Island. The couple relocated to Hubbard, Ohio in 1906 and eventually moved to Benwood, WV in search of jobs. Antonio Berardi worked as foreman at the Wheeling Steel Mill. He was hired because he could speak both English and Italian and served as important communication between employees.
Gemondo is the daughter of Lori Gemondo and Kim Gemondo, owner and editor of Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal. She is currently a fashion merchandising major at West Virginia University. After receiving her degree, she plans to attend graduate school. Her ultimate professional goal is to serve as a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City.
At WVU, Gemondo is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and the Fashion Business Association. She is active in the student organization, Mountaineer Maniacs.
Also announced tonight was Regina Maria’s court for 2013.
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival princesses include Bridgeport’s Carrington Riggs, Samantha Patsy and Victoria Reppert, as well as Maura Conti, Abigail Audia, Gabrielle Kyle, Angela Benedum, Allison Carvelli, Samara Kendrick, Jacqueline Costello and Maegan Elam.
Members of the 2013 junior court are Satira Scalise of Bridgeport, Olivia Gianettino, Giana Loretta, Myra Mazza and Mary Catherine Mazzo.
Minor court members are Bridgeport’s Addison Gregory, Sophia Devono and Giatta Iquinto, as well as Emma Tiano, Angela Wright, Molly Korn, Mary Korn, Hayden Lewis, Lexi Simpson, Riley Lanza, Julia Oliverio and Giana King.
Pictured right is Gemondo receiving her medallion from Francis. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Devono.
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.