CISCO Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners
April 9, 2025
BURR RIDGE – CISCO is honored to announce the recipients of its 2025 Scholarships. These young men and women will be formally recognized at CISCO’s Annual Luncheon, Friday, May 9, 2025, at Harry Caray’s, inside the Westin, Lombard.
CISCO scholarship recipients include Esteban Salas Serrano, Donavan Esquivel, Molly Whelan, Haley Pennington, and Alianna Ledesma.
Three (3) four-year scholarships were awarded to college-bound High School seniors. They include Esteban Salas Serrano, Donavan Esquivel, and Molly Whelan.
Esteban Salas Serrano
Esteban Salas Serrano is not only a top-performing student at Jones College Prep, but also a deeply compassionate and driven individual whose vision for the future is both inspiring and impactful. His passion for electrical engineering was sparked last summer at the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he built his own wave transmitter and literally tuned into his curiosity — picking up a Katy Perry song on the radio he’d engineered himself.
But what makes Esteban truly stand out is not just his academic excellence — including taking 10 AP and college-level courses and earning the AP Scholar with Distinction honor — it’s the purpose behind his passion. Esteban plans to transform the auto industry by creating cleaner, more efficient, and recyclable battery technologies, helping cities like New York combat air pollution and build a more sustainable future when he studies at University of Michigan.
And his commitment to community is just as strong. From leading honor societies to serving on student boards, to distributing thousands of pounds of food through the nonprofit Stuffed Love, Esteban brings a deep sense of empathy, cultural awareness, and leadership to everything he does.
As his counselor put it, Esteban is not only brilliant and hardworking — he’s kind. He uplifts those around him and carries himself with humility and heart. CISCO proud to award Esteban with a college scholarship that will support him as he continues his journey in higher education and beyond.
Donavan Esquivel
Our second four-year scholarship recipient is Donavan Esquivel. From a young age, Donavan has been captivated by the wonders of science. His passion led him to the field of biochemistry — a perfect blend of life and the elements that sustain it — and a stepping stone toward his dream of becoming a surgeon. He envisions a future where the medical field treats patients not as statistics, but as human beings — where empathy and human connection are at the center of healing.
As the president of his student council and senior class at Peotone High School, Donavan has already shown us what it means to lead with heart. One of his proudest accomplishments was organizing multiple blood drives at his school, responding to a national emergency shortage and helping collect more than 60 units of blood — enough to save up to 180 lives.
In the classroom, Donavan excels as a top student, taking on the challenge of AP Calculus and consistently earning honors every semester. He’s a National Honor Society member, a multi-sport athlete, a diversity and inclusion leader, and a volunteer with more than 100 hours of community service — all while maintaining a spirit of humility, determination, and kindness that truly sets him apart.
As one of his teachers put it, Donavan is the kind of student who not only asks questions — he finds solutions. CISCO is incredibly proud to award Donavan Esquivel with a college scholarship that will support his journey to becoming a doctor who leads with care, character, and compassion.
Molly Whelan
CISCO’s final four-year scholarship recipient is Molly Whelan. As a future educator, she has the heart, drive, and commitment for children.
Molly has always known she was meant to help. Whether through Girl Scouts, campus ministry, coaching volleyball, or volunteering at vacation Bible school and youth camps, Molly has made it her mission to lift others up, especially children. She believes in each child she works with, and she shows them they are seen, valued, and capable.
A defining moment for Molly came during a Girl Scout project supporting infants and toddlers in foster care. Molly and her peers brought love, joy, and comfort to children who needed it most. That moment cemented her desire to become a teacher who changes lives not just with lessons, but with compassion.
After graduating from Bishop Noll Institute, a private Catholic college prep, in Hammand, IND., Molly is heading to Teachers College, Ball State University to pursue Elementary Education and a Special Education to inspire, to uplift, and to make a difference in the lives of students every single day.
Her accomplishments speak volumes — from leadership roles in campus ministry to being a trusted mentor on the volleyball and softball teams, to her selection for the prestigious Flight Path to Teaching summer program. And yet, it’s her character — her selflessness, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child — that truly sets her apart.
Haley Pennington
With CISCO’s 2-year continuing education scholarship, Haley Pennington is about to take the next step toward an incredible future in healthcare at Southern Illinois University.
Haley is pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, a field that blends technology, compassion, and precision. Her goal is to start out in obstetric ultrasound, helping parents experience the joy of seeing their baby for the first time. She also plans to expand into vascular sonography, constantly learning and growing to make a lasting impact in the medical field by keeping up-to-date on new techniques and research studies. All of this combines Haley’s interest in medical technology with her desire to help people.
Beyond her academic excellence as a National Honor Society member at Providence Catholic High School, Haley has shown unwavering dedication through years of cheerleading, mentoring younger athletes, and volunteering in classrooms. She said the service component of the National Honor Society aligns perfectly with healthcare’s fundamental mission of helping others. Sonographers must maintain patient confidentiality, provide accurate diagnostic information, and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and Haley’s National Honor Society experience has reinforced these values and prepared her for the responsibilities of healthcare work.
She’s resilient, compassionate, and driven — exactly the kind of person we want working in healthcare. CISCO is proud to award Haley with a college scholarship in recognition of her hard work, service, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Alianna Ledesma
Our final recipient in the 2-year Community College category is Alianna Ledesma, a remarkable student who attended Oak Forest High School, and has a heart for service and a clear vision for her future.
Alianna has chosen to pursue a career in nursing, inspired by the compassion and strength she’s seen in her mother, a dedicated nurse herself. From a young age, Alianna felt called to care for others — whether it was singing lullabies to her baby brother or lifting spirits with her voice at senior living centers, saying she admires that type of job and wants to heal people in that same way.
She’s now set her sights on neonatal nursing, where she hopes to care for the most vulnerable — newborns who need critical attention and gentle hands.
Alianna’s academic path reflects her determination and thoughtful planning. She’s already preparing for nursing school by taking science courses, mapping out her prerequisites at South Suburban College, and even training to become a CNA this summer to prepare herself working in the hospital environment while in college, and also earning an income. Her dedication, empathy, and drive to heal make her an ideal future nurse.
Alianna is exactly the kind of person we want leading the next generation of healthcare professionals.
