Novara students honored in Nastro Azzurro literary competition
In 2025, the Novara and VCO provincial federation of the Institute of the Blue Ribbon hosted a literary competition with the theme revolving around Artificial Intelligence and Social Ethics. Organized by Maria Lucia Taglioni, Novara president of the moral entity of reference for military combatants decorated for valor, the award ceremony took place in the Hall of Honor of the Novara Prefecture.
The judging committee evaluated 60 submissions from high school students in Novara, consisting of thirty delegates from academic, military, and religious institutions.
The first prize was awarded to Alessandro Iaria, a third-year student in the Informatics course at the Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico Fauser. He actively participated in a writing workshop organized by literature teacher Laura Bagnati.
For the second place, Alessandro Guido, a third-year student at the Liceo Artistico Musicale Coreutico Casorati, was chosen. Besides his passion for writing, he is also a participant in the 2008 provincial junior championship, proudly representing San Giacomo calcio.
Simone Scopelliti, a former fencer with Pro Novara scherma and a student in the third E class at the Liceo Scientifico Antonelli, secured third place.
In total, 31 students received a distinction medal. Notable winners include Aleesa Bibi, Linda Brivitello, Eleonora Del Piano, Asia Balvio, Cristian Martella, Martina Riviera from the First Grade Secondary School Pier Lombardo; Anita De Rose, Francesco Salsa from the First Grade Secondary School Duca d'Aosta; Matteo Candela, Thomas Marchizza, Andrei Scutaru, Giulia Zaio, Emanuele Buono, Alessandra Ortega Silvera from the Liceo Scientifico Statale Antonelli; Ilaria Corrado, Davide Miglio, Sofia Politi, Theodor Nistor Ilarion, Alessandro Passotti from the Liceo Artistico Musicale Coreutico Casorati; Stefano Marchetti, Gabriele Sacco, Emanuele Petrillo, Sebastiano Ugazio from the Istituto Tecnico Industriale Omar; Chantal Ciappola, Federico Dequarti, Domenico Espone, Tommaso Fizzotti, Yahya El Hafian, Matteo Kryemadhi, Nicholas Lai, Elisa Mendicino from the Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico Fauser.
The ceremony commenced after paying tribute to the Fallen with a wreath-laying at the Monument of the Fallen in via Puccini. The memory of General Marcello Prestinari and Lieutenant Pilot Pier Antonio Poggi were honored during this solemn occasion.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be a hot topic in various competitive academic events across the globe. One can note the New York Post Scholars Contest 2025, where Scheherazade S. from Hunter College High School was crowned the winner, presenting a piece titled "A consideration of the complicated future of artificial intelligence at Hunter College High School from available tools to ethical usage." Other competitions such as the DNA Day Essay Contest 2025 by the American Society of Human Genetics and Grad Slam 2025 have also focused on AI's role in genetic testing, algorithmic bias, and ethical considerations.
Schools like Hunter College High School, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Arabian Ranches, Carmel High School, Smithtown High School East, and Cal State Long Beach have actively taken part in these AI-centric competitions.
- Recognizing the importance of education and self-development, some students in Novara have extended their learning beyond their schools and enrolled in online education platforms to improve their understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Social Ethics.
- For those interested in exploring AI further, online education resources can offer valuable opportunities for learning, such as the various AI-centric competitions held at institutions like Jumeirah English Speaking School, Arabian Ranches, or Cal State Long Beach.
