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THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
District 88 Foundation Addison Trail staff member named as high hosts second annual school Teacher of the Year by Illinois VFW ‘Paddle Battle’ pickleball tournament
The District 88 Foundation’s second annual “Paddle Battle” pickleball tournament, which took place on March 1 at Willowbrook High School was a success, with 54 players raising around $7,300. These funds will benefit District 88 students through mini-grants for staff to develop instructional initiatives and innovations. Tournament results were announced. The JOE PEARSON PHOTO 3.5 and above winners Addison Independent were: Eddie DeLaCruz, first place; Sam Harper and Joe Imbrogno, tied for second place; and Bill Ringmeier, fourth place. 3.0 and under winners: Lucas Galas, first place; Hunter Boothe, second place; Andrew Dichiria, third place; and Patrick Scaletta, fourth place. Court winners: Jim Zhang, Court 1; Lucas Galas, Court 2; Michael Rovansek, Court 3; Alisa Conboy, Court 4; Andrew Dichiria, Court 5; Hunter Boothe, Court 6; Patrick Scaletta, Court 7; Eddie DeLaCruz, Court 8; and Sam Harper, Court 9.
Addison Trail has announced that share staff member LeVonne Cescolini-Boyer has been named LeVonne as the high school Teach- CescoliniBoyer er of the Year by the Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). She will be recognized during the State Convention, which will take place from June 5 to 8 in Springfield. Cescolini-Boyer was nominated by the Addison VFW Post 7446 and will now advance to the national level. According to https://www.vfw. org/community/youth-and-education/teacher-of-the-year, “Each year, the (VFW) selects elementary, middle and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program.” The focus of that program is “to identify and recognize America’s best educators who instill a sense of national pride
Inside:
Opinion.............................4 Police Reports �������������������8 Speak out..........................5 Sports......................... 18-20
in students.” “Thanks to Cescolini-Boyer, new life has been breathed into our post and, more importantly, into our veterans,” the Addison VFW Post 7446 said in its nomination letter. “She has transformed our post and is truly the heart of ensuring the stories and heroism of our true patriots are passed on to the next generation of civic leaders.” Cescolini-Boyer has been a social studies teacher at Addison Trail since 1994, and her passion for civics is apparent from the moment you step inside her classroom. Patriotic posters, photos and even life-size cutouts of legislators fill the room, and Cescolini-Boyer can often be seen proudly donning a hat, T-shirt or scarf with the American flag. Her love for ensuring students understand the importance of the democratic process and civic engagement is evident in all
she does. Cescolini-Boyer leads the Addison Trail Veteran Service Organization (ATVSO), which helps to develop within students a sense of duty, appreciation and community service. The group runs the Flags for Addison project, assists the Addison VFW Post 7446 with several events, participates in the Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab program, collects food and hygiene items for active members of the military, and helps host Addison Trail’s annual Veterans Day Luncheon. About 45 students are currently part of the ATVSO, which began in 2021. Cescolini-Boyer also serves as the adviser for Addison Trail’s Youth and Government club, a simulation of the Illinois General Assembly that allows students to immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement, debate issues that affect citizens and propose legislation
through taking on the roles of legislators, attorneys, lobbyists and more. Cescolini-Boyer has even coordinated a student trip to Washington, D.C., with Close Up-Washington, D.C., Educational Programs. Through that experience, pupils were able to visit historic sites and be part of the presidential inauguration. “I’m beyond humbled to receive this recognition,” Cescolini-Boyer said of being named as the high school Teacher of the Year. “It means a lot to me, because the programs I help provide for our students mean a lot to me. To be honored for my love and passion is just amazing. It’s so important to connect our students with our veterans, so they understand the sacrifices our veterans made to protect our country and our freedom. Through these programs and opportunities, I hope students look at our flag and veterans a little differently.”
Suburban businessman indicted on immigration fraud charges A Downers Grove businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly providing false and fraudulent information to U.S. authorities to obtain immigration benefits for his foreign national clients. Jose Gregorio Sosa Cardona operated Delta Global Solutions, Inc., which assisted individuals in applying for asylum, immigrant visas, lawful permanent residence cards, and other immigration benefits. From 2020 to 2024, Sosa Cardona conspired with two employees of his firm and others to knowingly provide false and fraudulent information to
the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of his foreign national clients who were seeking benefits, according to an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The indictment accuses Sosa Cardona of, among other things, fabricating foreign law enforcement reports and foreign political party membership letters to falsely corroborate his clients’ asylum claims. Sosa Cardona also falsely represented to U.S. immigration officials that he was an attorney licensed to practice law in Ohio, when, in fact, he
was not an attorney and not authorized to represent applicants in immigration proceedings before the USCIS, the indictment states. Sosa Cardona, 40, is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit immigration fraud, four counts of falsifying applications for immigration benefits, and two counts of making a false statement to the USCIS. Sosa Cardona was arrested on March 10 He was arraigned in federal court in Chicago and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A detention hearing was held March 12.
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