The ANNOTICO Report

TV celebrity Tony Danza, best known for TV shows "Taxi" and "Who's the
Boss, the host of "The Tony Danza Show", made a surprise visit to an
elementary Italian class at Grand Valley State University to respond to
Beth Murawsky, who had written a letter seeking information for a project
on famous Italian-Americans.

When Danza, 54, stepped into the classroom Wednesday wearing a GVSU
sweatshirt, Murawsky thought he was an impostor. .

After listening to Murawsky's presentation in Italian, Danza talked about
his Italian roots. He then introduced Steve Perillo of Perillo Tours, who
said the students would receive a free trip to Italy, probably in January,
paid by the travel company and airline Alitalia.

The class was speechless and overwhelmed.

Tony Danza, responding to a query about Famous Italian Americans, Sharing
your Italian Roots, and Rewarding Italian language class students, you're
THE MAN!!!!!

The Grand Rapids Press
By Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Friday, April 22, 2005

ALLENDALE -- Chris Casazza fumed for months when he didn't pass his Italian
class at Grand Valley State University.

But after a surprise visit by TV celebrity Tony Danza, Casazza is forgiving
his professor for making him take the course again.

He and 18 other students scored a free trip to Rome when the host of "The
Tony Danza Show" dropped in on the elementary Italian class this week.

"I never thought not doing well in a class would pay off so well," said
Casazza, of Grosse Pointe.

Danza, best known for TV shows "Taxi" and "Who's the Boss," traveled to
GVSU to surprise junior Beth Murawsky, who had written a letter seeking
information for a project on famous Italian-Americans.

"Beth's letter was such a sweet letter," said John Redmann, executive
producer of Danza's talk show. "Originally, we were just going to have her
on the phone, but we said, 'Let's make it bigger. What would be the most
incredible way to surprise the students?'"

Murawsky's Italian professor, Gisella Gisolo, agreed to set up a meeting.

"I promised (students) food and extra credit," she said. "They had no idea
about what was going on."

When Danza, 54, stepped into the classroom Wednesday wearing a GVSU
sweatshirt, Murawsky thought he was an impostor. But part two of the
surprise left the class speechless.

After listening to Murawsky's presentation in Italian, Danza talked about
his Italian roots. He then introduced Steve Perillo of Perillo Tours, who
said the students would receive a free trip to Italy, probably in January,
paid by the travel company and airline Alitalia.

A day later, Murawsky still was overwhelmed.

"I've got finals coming up and I can't even concentrate," she said.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/
index.ssf?/base/news-21/111418302291010.xm
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