Fight for Air Climb
Photos courtesy of the American Lung Association
The 2025 Fight For Air Climb in Oakbrook Terrace took place in early March and featured a strong turnout from local suburban fire departments. Participants completed a grueling 30-floor climb in full firefighter gear to support the American Lung Association’s mission to end lung disease. The Elmhurst Fire Department posted the fastest overall team time at 09:17.36, with firefighter Matt Rizzo leading the group at 05:26.83. The Elmhurst team’s rigorous preparation highlights not only the intense fitness standards maintained by firefighters (they completed the climb in full firefighter gear, weighing about 60 pounds at its lightest), but also their continued support for the community in the fight to provide clean air. A recognition ceremony was held at the Elmhurst Fire Department on May 15.
![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.”](https://dupagemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26-1-DG-Scholastic-Art-Writing-Awards.jpg "26-1 DG Scholastic Art & Writing Awards")
