The Central Council of the Italian Catholic Federation in Oakland recently selected Isabella Portantino for one of its high school senior college scholarships. The awards are provided each year to students in the many branches of ICF throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois. Branch 374 will provide Portantino’s award in La Cañada Flintridge. The local branch is associated with the St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church parish where she and her family are parishioners and members of the ICF branch.

Portantino, known as Bella, is a graduate of La Cañada High School where she was very active in the choir program and on the soccer team. Interested in art, Portantino enjoys doing work with pastels. She previously attended La Cañada Elementary School. She will attend Redlands University in the fall where she plans to pursue studies and a career in psychology. She is the daughter of Ellen and State Senator Anthony Portantino. Her older sister Sophia previously graduated from LCHS and is currently pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

Branch president Al Restivo noted that Bella was previously a speaker at an ICF meeting.

“She is a very poised and articulate young lady and did a fantastic job of presenting a very interesting program. We are very proud to have her as a member of ICF and active in the work of our branch and parish,” said Restivo. “Due to the closure of our parish due to the pandemic, we plan to have Bella attend one of our meetings in the fall where we will award her a very well-deserved and well-earned certificate.”