Excellence in Competition

Left: Photo courtesy of Montini Catholic High School  Right: Photo courtesy of Fenwick High School
Left: Photo courtesy of Montini Catholic High School Right: Photo courtesy of Fenwick High School

The Oak Brook Park District Foundation recognizes two remarkable athletes whose accomplishments set them apart

Nico Castaldo
Montini Catholic High School

A standout in both football and track and field, Nico Castaldo capped off an exceptional athletic career at Montini Catholic. As a senior wide receiver, he started all 14 games for the Broncos, earning All-State, All-Area, and All-Conference honors while leading the team with 64 receptions and 11 touchdowns. Castaldo helped guide Montini to back-to-back IHSA Class 4A State Football Championships and served as a team captain during his senior season. In track and field, he was a member of Montini’s 2024 IHSA State Championship team, earned All-Conference recognition, and helped set a school indoor record in the 4×200 relay. Beyond competition, Castaldo maintained honor roll status, volunteered at youth summer camps, and participated in community service initiatives through the football program.

 

Valeria Monroy
Fenwick High School

Fenwick senior Valeria Monroy has built an impressive athletic résumé through her dedication to swimming and water polo. Throughout her high school career, she consistently competed at a high level, earning conference and sectional success while helping her teams achieve strong finishes. Her accomplishments include runner-up finishes in the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference and sectionals, a third-place finish at the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics with her club team, and a second-place finish in the Midwest League Premier Division as a senior with Elmhurst Aquatics. Monroy’s commitment extends beyond athletics as well. A member of the National Honor Society, she served as president of Fenwick’s French Club, mentored younger students through the school’s Friar Mentor program, and volunteered with organizations serving children and families throughout the Chicago area.

 

Author

In the Cozy Chair Room, drumming is a favorite activity for CADC Members.

Forty & Flourishing

Aili Flannery’s award-winning sculpture, “Process,” was made of copper, string, copper wire, glass beads, glass, rust-stained fabric, lace, turmeric sun-printed paper, and thread. It represents “the timeline of having depression to the process of healing,” Flannery explained, and the theme is rooted in her own experiences. “‘Start’ shows up again at the end [of the piece], because I was ready to start healing and to continue living.”

Artistic Accolades

Shared-SEASPAR

Celebrating SEASPAR

Professor Birju Shah at the India Business Conference at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. 

At the Forefront of AI, Rooted in Elmhurst

LIFT co-directors Bill and Jenny Riddle

United in Song, Connected in Community

The Elmhurst Garden Club has helped beautify the community for 100 years.

One Hundred Years of Planting Progress

Photo courtesy of 2d Restaurant – House of Teriyaki

6 Chicago Restaurants Worth Experiencing

Members of MERIT’s
Metro SWAT team prepare for
a training exercise, prepare for high-risk
incidents throughout DuPage County.

Joining Forces

The Hinsdale Central tennis team took second in the state and has won 14 straight top-3 trophies.  
<br><i>Photo courtesy of Hinsdale Central High School</i>

Netting Another Prize

Representative Chuy Garcia welcomed the family to his office.

A Turn for the Better

From left to right, Theresa Nevling, Lisa Everette, Village President Greg Hart, Maureen Hegarty, Beth Waldo and Kristina Goel pose with the proclamation for ALCW’s 30 years of service.

A League of Their Own

Lauren Kottke and Jane Shannon, Not pictured Sachin Rao

Village Welcomes Summer Interns