Sen. Boucher brings a little bit of Italy into the Senate Chamber

L- R, Giulia Manca, Patrizia Carta Manca, Luca Caputo, Carla Rea, Sen. Toni Boucher, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, and Pasquale Manca in the Senate Chamber. Missing from the photo is Francesca Manca who was taking finals.

Hartford, CT – Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) had the pleasure of honoring the Manca family of Westport and Luca Caputo an exchange student in the Senate Chamber in Hartford on Tuesday. All have family roots from Italy.

Three years ago the Manca family emigrated from the town of Alghero, Sardigna Italy. In Italy Mr. Manca is the owner of the San Giuliano olive oil company.

Mr. and Mrs. Manca wanted their daughters, Giulia and Francesca to learn English in our school system and experience the American culture and way of life. Giulia and Francesca are now bilingual. Giulia is graduating from Middle school and Francesca finished her first year at Staples High School.

This family has embraced our life style and in three short years they have learned our language, made friends and got involved with our local political process. They have campaigned for a local candidate for election to the Board of Finance going door to door handing out flyers.

They learned a lot about our two party system and campaigning, pretty good for a 13 and 14 year old! In two weeks they are going back to Italy to their way of life, but they will have America in their hearts.

Luca Caputo is an exchange student that came from Potenza, Italy. He is a senior at Staples High School and will graduate on June 19th. He did not speak a word of English when he came to Connecticut and is now bilingual.

His parents wanted him to learn the language and our life style and he certainly did so.
Luca has come to love Wendy’s hamburgers! He is also going back in two weeks leaving a big space to fill in the lives of many.