Help Aloysius Get Back on the Mat

I am Edward Traina, Aloysius’s former coach, and together with my wife, Cherilyn, I write as people who have known and cared for him for many years. As our son's best friend, Aloysius has long been part of our family.

Wrestling has never been just a sport for Aloysius. It has been his structure, his stability, and often the one place where he felt safe and supported. Over the years, we have worked with many student-athletes, but Aloysius is one of the most dedicated, resilient, and talented young men we have ever known.

Just as important as his athletic success is who Aloysius is as a person. He is a good kid with a good heart. In the wrestling room, he consistently makes time to help others—whether that means staying late to drill with a younger teammate, offering encouragement after a tough loss, or quietly leading by example. He never sees himself as above anyone else, and he understands that wrestling is about lifting others up as much as it is about winning.

Aloysius began wrestling at four years old and grew into one of the most accomplished Deaf high school wrestlers in the nation. His achievements include:

While Aloysius attended Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), he was not just a member of the team—he was a star athlete and a cornerstone of the wrestling program. He brought state, national, and international recognition to the school and represented MSSD with discipline, humility, and pride. He gave a great deal to that program.

Despite everything he contributed, Aloysius recently faced removal from competition—not because of academics, behavior, or eligibility—but because of $1,480 in unpaid team fees connected to circumstances completely outside of his control.

What Happened

In December 2024, Aloysius intervened to prevent his mother from driving while intoxicated by hiding her car keys at a party. When he returned to MSSD, he began receiving threatening text messages from her.

Out of concern for his safety, Edward shared those messages with the school’s Athletic Director and raised serious concerns. We were told that there was nothing the school could do.

As the threatening messages continued and escalated, Aloysius feared for his safety. Before his mother arrived on campus, he left the dorm with the help of two friends because he believed he was in danger.

According to those present on campus at the time, Aloysius’s mother arrived on campus carrying a baseball bat and was persuaded to leave. We are not aware of a police report being filed, and no protective measures were put in place, despite the seriousness of the situation and the fact that Aloysius had already fled due to fear for his safety.

Aloysius was missing for three weeks before police eventually located him and returned him to his mother. She withdrew him from MSSD with the stated intention of transferring him to a school in South Carolina. That transfer did not occur. Instead, she later re-enrolled him at MSSD, and the school immediately accepted the re-enrollment.

Ongoing Safety and Accountability Concerns

In February 2025, Aloysius qualified for the National Prep Wrestling Tournament in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—an honor earned only by placing in the top six at the state tournament.

After his elimination match, Aloysius and the coaching staff wanted to stay and watch the championship rounds. However, the school driver insisted on returning to campus.

During the drive, the vehicle was traveling approximately 80–90 mph. Edward asked the school-employed driver once to slow down. A photo of the speedometer was later shared with MSSD athletics department. No corrective action was taken.

To the best of our knowledge, this driver remains employed by MSSD, which continues to raise concerns about student-athlete safety and accountability.

Forced Withdrawal and a Lost Milestone

In May 2025, shortly after Aloysius turned 18, MSSD required him to sign paperwork granting his mother control over all school matters.

Prior to this, Cherilyn Traina sought court involvement due to ongoing safety and stability concerns. Because Aloysius had already turned 18, the court did not grant a legal guardianship. Instead, the judge directed that a notarized Letter of Intent be completed, formally affirming Aloysius's legal independence and ability to make decisions on his own behalf.

Despite this, MSSD required Aloysius to sign paperwork placing his mother back in control of his school matters. He was told that if he did not sign, he would be forced to withdraw from the school.

Faced with that ultimatum, Aloysius withdrew.

Because of this, Aloysius missed the June awards ceremony, where he would have been recognized for achieving 100 career wins—a rare and significant milestone in high school wrestling.

A Fresh Start — and Another Setback

In August 2025, Aloysius transferred back to the Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) in Frederick, Maryland, a school he attended growing up before transferring to MSSD.

As required by the NDIAA, MSSD completed a transfer eligibility form. One question asked whether Aloysius would have been ineligible to participate in sports had he remained at MSSD. MSSD answered “No.” Based on that response, Aloysius was cleared to compete.

He played football in the fall and returned to wrestling in the winter.

On December 6, Aloysius placed 1st in his weight class at the Admiral Holloway Tournament. MSD recognized his achievement publicly.

The following day, MSSD filed a complaint with the NDIAA, citing $1,480 in unpaid team fees from Aloysius’s time as a student—despite being aware that his mother had abandoned him financially.

As a result, NDIAA ruled that Aloysius could not wrestle until the balance was paid.

Why We’re Asking for Help

To ensure Aloysius did not miss a single match or tournament, we immediately paid the full $1,480 out of pocket.

Because of that, Aloysius is currently eligible and actively competing, including this weekend.

This fundraiser is not to restore his eligibility.

It exists to reimburse the cost we paid so that he could continue wrestling.

Our son, Calvin, has wrestled alongside Aloysius since they were very young. Over the years, our family welcomed Aloysius into our home, providing food, clothing, transportation, stability, and unconditional support. We have never viewed him as a burden—only as family.

This unexpected financial obligation should not fall on one family alone, especially given everything Aloysius contributed to the MSSD wrestling program.

Many in the Deaf athletic community have raised questions about how unpaid team fees are handled when students transfer, rather than being addressed season by season.

Transparency Note

Transparency Note: This page reflects our firsthand experiences and understanding of events as they occurred. We are sharing our perspective to explain why support is needed. Aloysius is currently eligible and actively competing. This fundraiser is solely to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses we paid on his behalf.

How You Can Help

Your donation will:

Aloysius has faced instability, fear, and institutional inaction—but he has never stopped fighting. Wrestling is where he belongs. Wrestling is where he thrives.

Thank you for standing with Aloysius.

Thank you for standing with our family.

Thank you for helping us do right by a young man who has already overcome so much.