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Union students make a wish come true
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Make-a-Wish representative Kim Sazima (right) told the students at Union on May 3 about Madison Antal and mom Cristal Antal's thrilling trip to Disney World that was made possible by the fundraising of the Union community.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Make-a-Wish recipient Madison Antal (left), held by her mom Cristal, shared a few short words on May 3 for the students of Union about her recent trip to Disney World: "Thank you so much. It was awesome," Antal said.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Union principal Mike Masucci (right) welcomed Make-a-Wish representative Kim Sazima (center) as well as wish recipient Madison Antal (left) and mom Cristal Antal for a presentation at the school on May 3. Union students heard the story of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and received a thank you from Madison Antal, who earned a trip to Disney World thanks to the fundraising of Union students throughout the year.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Union students Cameryn Lattanzio (left) and Michael Perreti (right) helped accept a plaque from the Make-a-Wish foundation on May 3. The plaque honors the the school for helping to grant the wish of Madison Antal to travel to Disney World. Antal held up the plaque with Make-a-Wish representative Kim Sazima.
By SARAH FOOR
Every classroom at Union Elementary had something to be proud of on May 3.
Throughout the year, the students have been collecting money to grant a wish through the Make-A-Wish foundation, and have done so by selling popcorn, peddling cookies and sweets, or simply asking parents, family and friends to donate to the cause.
All their work was worth it on May 3 as 5-year-old Lordstown native Madison Antal visited the school to thank Union for helping to grant her wish for a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida.
Principal Mike Masucci began the proceedings by telling his students that Antal was treated like a queen during her recent visit to Disney.
“Whether you helped to give $50 or 50 cents, you were part of Madison’s happiness. It means a great deal to Madison and her family,” he said.
Madison was then welcomed into the auditorium to raucous applause, accompanied by mother, Cristal, and Make-A-Wish development associate Kim Sazima. Sazima shared the story of the founding of Make-A-Wish with the Union students, and said she hopes to grant the wishes of 160 more children in Northeast Ohio.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for making Madison’s wish come true,” Sazima said. When Madison was asked to speak to the students, the praise for her experience was heartfelt but simple.
“Thank you so much. It was awesome,” she exclaimed.
The Make-A-Wish foundation offered a plaque to the school that displayed a photo of a happy Madison and a thank-you to the Union students.
“We will hang it in our school with great pride,” Masucci said.