As part of a study on how different cultures impact their daily lives, students in the fourth grade at Independence Leadership academy have been exploring the Sicilian roots that still run deeply in a number of communities in Central Tangipahoa Parish and especially Independence, which at one time had earned the unofficial title of “Little Italy.”

The focus was placed on a study of the history of the Sicilian culture because Independence will celebrate its annual Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival March 11-13. That festival has a history that stretches back for about four decades when it was originally known as the Independence Italian Festival.