OCEAN CITY – Leilani Castillo Guzman, a fourth grader in the city, was honored with a donation from the Sunshine Foundation that will provide her with a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida.
Leilani has Turner’s Syndrome, which causes a partially or fully missing X chromosome in girls and women, and which qualified her for the donation.
She is known to her peers and her mentors as a hardworking student who brings compassion and friendship to school.
“Leilani is the kind of student we hope our other students would mirror,” said her principal, Cathleen Smith. “Even at such a young age, she is a beacon of positivity in the halls and in the classroom. She not only inspires her peers, but the adults in her life, too. We’re all so excited for her to be awarded this experience. It’s truly once in a lifetime to be recognized like this.”
She has never been to Disney World; she told her peers she is excited to meet the characters.
Her dream trip is being made a reality thanks to the efforts of Smith, Cathy DiMarco, president of the all-volunteer Ocean City Cape Atlantic Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation, and school district staff members Carole Maurer, Paola Neff and Ivory Williams.
Established in 1976, the Sunshine Foundation serves to fulfill the wishes of students with developmental, emotional or family income issues. The foundation raises money to send children on their dream trips and has helped more than 42,500 children.
On Sept. 9 the foundation held its annual golf outing, where Leilani and her family were presented her donation. Their trip is planned for sometime this year.
For more information on the Sunshine Foundation or to refer a child, visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.
