Willowbrook High School senior Claire Brennan of Villa Park was recently named her school’s recipient of the 88’s Best award for the month of September. Brennan was recognized during the board’s Sept. 28 meeting.
The 88’s Best award recognizes students at Willowbrook and Addison Trail high schools for their achievements in and out of the classroom. The District 88 Board of Education joined the district’s administration to create the award to highlight students’ successes. The award recognizes nine Willowbrook students and nine Addison Trail students each school year.
Willowbrook Principal Dan Krause read comments from several of the school’s staff members during last week’s board meeting. Those staff members described Brennan as thoughtful, dependable, determined, friendly, ambitious, and mature.
An academic standout in Willowbrook’s Class of 2027, Brennan has excelled while taking the school’s most rigorous courses. When she graduates next year, she will have completed 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. She is an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction, and has been named to Willowbrook’s Distinction Honor Roll each semester of her time at the school. Brennan is a member of numerous honor societies, including the National Honor Society. She is a mentor in the New Beginnings program, which assists freshmen with the transition into high school. She also serves as a Student Ambassador to welcome students who transfer to Willowbrook.
Brennan is a member of Willowbrook’s math and speech teams, as well as the school’s Science Olympiad team. She is also the president of the Key Club, a student-led community service organization. She’s a member of the school’s orchestra, and also plays in the Warrior String Quartet, which has performed at a variety of community events. Brennan is a multi-sport athlete at Willowbrook. She is currently the captain of the girls tennis team. She also plays for the Warriors’ girls soccer team.
Speaking at the recent board meeting, Brennan thanked her parents for promoting the values of hard work, humility, and respect. She also thanked her sisters, her teachers, and her classmates and friends for contributing to her success at Willowbrook.
“It’s such a joy to come to Willowbrook every day to compete, to be in athletics and academics,” stated Brennan. “I’m so grateful to the school and all the opportunities that I’ve been given.”
Brennan is deciding where she will continue her education after she graduates from Willowbrook. She plans to study engineering.
