Addison Trail hosts 8th annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular
Top left: Addison Trail student Nina Vargas sings the National Anthem during the 8th annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular on May 1 at Addison Trail. That event takes place each year to give students with special needs an opportunity to participate in various athletic activities, as well as provide them with a fun day of games and happenings. Top middle: Willowbrook student Kellie Albarran gets her face painted by Addison Trail senior Maria Madey. Top right: Glenbard West student Kayla Torres gets her face painted by Addison Trail art teacher Tim Hockensmith. Bottom left: District 88 Transition Program students Victoria Diaz and Ricardo Betts enjoy cotton candy during the event. Bottom middle and right: Willowbrook student Diego Saenz and Transition Program student Caterina Partipilo have fun playing Dance Dance Revolution.
Top left: Addison Trail students welcome participants to the 8th annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular on May 1 at Addison Trail. That event takes place each year to give students with special needs an opportunity to participate in various athletic activities, as well as provide them with a fun day of games and happenings. Photo by Addison Trail senior Stacy Montalvo
Top right: During the event, more than 700 students with special needs filled Addison Trail’s field house, gyms and black box studio theatre. The students were from 14 schools in the West Suburban Conference. Photo by Addison Trail senior Stacy Montalvo
Bottom: The participants pose and hold up banners to thank those who made a donation to support the event.
On May 1, Addison Trail hosted the 8th annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular.
During the event, more than 700 students with special needs filled Addison Trail’s field house, gyms and black box studio theatre. The students were from 14 schools in the West Suburban Conference, and they participated in track and field events, as well as basketball, volleyball, floor hockey and indoor golf games. They also enjoyed face painting, Dance Dance Revolution, moon jumps, karaoke, tasty treats and more. The event began with an introduction of the schools in attendance, as well as the singing of the National Anthem by Addison Trail student Nina Vargas.
The Sports Spectacular was founded in 1994 by a group of West Suburban Conference athletic directors. Addison Trail physical education teacher Sheri D’Ambrose wanted to continue the event to offer students an atmosphere of fun. D’Ambrose said it takes the following to make the Sports Spectacular a success each year.
- More than 100 volunteers (including Addison Trail students, staff and parents/guardians)
- Donations from the following Addison businesses for food and refreshment items
- Pyramid Pizzeria
- Aurelio’s Pizza
- Rosati’s Pizza
- Blue Line
- Serino’s Italian Deli
- Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
- 601
- Shoeless Joe’s
- Giordano’s
- Franky’s Red Hots
- Nardi’s Tower of Pizza
- Zio Tony’s Pizza
- Uncle Pete’s Pizza Shop
- Sysco
- T-shirts from Great Lakes Apparel
- Participant awards from Trophies By George
- A Moon Jump 4U
- Free disc jockey services provided by BOOM Entertainment
- Support from the District 88 and Addison Trail administration, as well as Addison Trail’s Student Council and Art Club
- Support from NovaCare Rehabilitation