Dolores Rigali Barrett Scholarship at Hill-Murray School
Dolores Rigali Barrett Scholarship
Dolores Barrett (born Pia Dolores Rigali) was committed to both her Italian heritage and to the importance of Catholic education. She continually emphasized the importance of studying hard to her family and made numerous sacrifices to support her children's varied ambitions.
Dolores passed away in 2005. As a lasting legacy to her spirit and commitment to her family, her children would like to help others attend Hill-Murray School , a "common denominator of success" among all seven Barrett children.
Scholarship Award and Eligibility
The Dolores Rigali Barrett Scholarship awards $8,000-$10,000 per year, renewable on an annual basis.
Applicants must:
Attend Hill-Murray High School grades 9-12.
Have Italian heritage.
Verify financial need via the school’s financial aid process.
Maintain solid academic standing.
Write an essay about Italian heritage or Hill-Murray School year in review.
Congratulations, Paolo Passeretti!
Paolo Passeretti is the 2025-2026 recipient of the Dolores Rigali Barrett Scholarship. Paolo is very proud of his Italian heritage and highlighted in his scholarship essay that his family’s heritage. It can be traced back to the Roman Empire and included royal blood as one of his ancestors became an Archduke. More recent family history included his Grandpa Leo owning a pizzeria named Passeretti’s Pizza. In addition, most of Paolo’s cousins, aunts and uncles still live in Italy.
Paolo enters Hill-Murray eager to embrace the school’s rigorous academic program, while joining the school’s football team which reached the Minnesota State High School 4A Tournament in November 2025 (losing to Kasson-Mantorville in the quarterfinals). Paolo has also remained active in the community, volunteering for Feed Our Starving Children and The Fun Run.
According to Dolores’ son Mark Barrett, “Hearing that Paolo is from White Bear Lake, where my parents raised me and my six siblings, makes this year’s announcement especially exciting. We loved learning more about Paolo’s interests and goals and wish him “tanto divertimento, amicizie, e impegno” during his freshman year!”