Washington – The Italian region of Umbria was in the spotlight at the 2026 National Education and Leadership Awards Gala, promoted by the Sons of Italy Foundation, held Thursday evening at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., with a reception and awards ceremony. Organised under the umbrella of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, the event paid tribute to Umbria and to individuals who have made significant contributions to their social, cultural and professional communities. “For Umbria, this is a recognition of great value,” said Regional President Stefania Proietti, “because it comes from one of the most important Italian-American organisations, founded to preserve Italian cultural heritage, support education, and strengthen intergenerational ties. We are present in Washington, bringing the authentic face of our region to the heart of the United States: a land of culture, spirituality, work, solidarity and dialogue. And we will continue throughout 2026 with initiatives and events dedicated to our region, the Green Heart of Italy”. Founded in 1959 as the philanthropic arm of the organisation, the Sons of Italy Foundation has long supported scholarships, cultural initiatives, social programmes and youth-focused projects. The national gala also placed special emphasis on the future of younger Italian-American generations, highlighting education and leadership as key tools for both personal and collective growth. (9colonne)