Willowbrook presents 2019-20 second-quarter Outstanding Students and Outstanding Teacher

Pictured are the Willowbrook students who were recognized as Outstanding Students during a breakfast in their honor on Dec. 5. They are (back row, from left) freshman Jessica Flores, junior Lana Gallagher, senior Karli Wilson, sophomore Joseph Lajb, freshman Kaitlyn Jaskier, junior Andrew Rugg, (front row, from left) senior Sandy Orizaba, junior Sarah Fairbank, junior Marco Castro-Reyes, senior Emma Cismesia and senior Elizabeth McBride.

Willowbrook science teacher Matthew Zaucha (center) receives the Outstanding Teacher award on Dec. 5. He was presented by Willowbrook juniors Amina Mohiuddin (left) and Lily Morgan (right).

On Dec. 5, 11 Willowbrook students were recognized as Outstanding Students for the second quarter of the 2019-20 school year during a breakfast in their honor.

Criteria to be chosen for that award include:

  • Demonstrating extraordinary achievement, outstanding effort, commendable attitude and motivation
  • Ability to overcome obstacles
  • Continuous exemplary performance

During the event, Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause and Assistant Principal Yvonne Tsagalis welcomed the recipients and their families, as well as the staff members who nominated them. The students were then recognized and given a certificate in honor of their efforts. To watch the ceremony, click the video above.

The Outstanding Students are:
Art: Senior Elizabeth McBride

Career and Technical Education (CTE): Senior Karli Wilson

English: Freshman Kaitlyn Jaskier

Learning services: Junior Marco Castro-Reyes

Literacy: Freshman Jessica Flores

Math: Junior Sarah Fairbank

Music: Senior Emma Cismesia

Physical education: Sophomore Joseph Lajb

Science: Junior Andrew Rugg

Social studies: Junior Lana Gallagher

World languages: Senior Sandy Orizaba

Willowbrook science teacher Matthew Zaucha received the Outstanding Teacher award and was presented by Willowbrook juniors Lily Morgan and Amina Mohiuddin. To earn the Outstanding Teacher award, a staff member must treat teaching as a passion – not just a job, create a positive learning environment where students feel encouraged and supported, use a variety of strategies to engage students, be willing to offer extra support when needed, provide prompt and effective feedback to students on their learning and relate to and understand the viewpoints and perspectives of students.