Willowbrook names September recipient of 88's Best recognition
Left: Pictured is Willowbrook senior Hiba Mirza, who has been named as the school's September recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding academic accomplishments. Right: Mirza (pictured at right in the top row) is recognized as Willowbrook's September recipient of 88’s Best recognition during the District 88 Board of Education meeting on Sept. 21.
Hiba Mirza has been named as Willowbrook’s September recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding academic accomplishments. Mirza, a senior, was recognized during the Sept. 21 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To listen to her 88’s Best presentation, click the audio file above.
As a student, Mirza consistently pursues the most rigorous courses available at Willowbrook. At the conclusion of her high school career, Mirza will have completed 11 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses, three Project Lead The Way courses and a multitude of honors courses. As a result of her academic success, Mirza has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors and has been named to the Distinction Honor Roll each semester of her high school career. She also has been honored with the Outstanding Student award in Science, the Outstanding Freshman Award and the Human Relations Award. Mirza also serves as Vice President of National Honor Society and Treasurer of Civitas (Willowbrook’s social studies honor society) and is an inductee of the Math, English and World Language honor societies.
“Mirza brings the type of pizzazz and energy to her classes and extracurricular activities that every coach and teacher hopes to see,” said Elizabeth Zwart, Willowbrook math teacher. “I have known Mirza since her freshman year, and she demonstrated from day one an enthusiasm for learning and a consistent positive attitude on a daily basis. She brings both drive and energy to learning math each class period. Her competitive spirit and grit helped her to tackle math problems of any difficulty level, even if it meant redirecting her original plan for problem solving. Mirza’s kindness and sense of humor mix with her academic maturity to make her an amazing addition to any classroom. I have observed her assisting and raising up the confidence level of her peers by helping them and encouraging them to believe in their math skills. Mirza is always willing to help others around her who might be struggling with math concepts. Mirza also is responsible for her own successes and learning. When Mirza does not quite reach her personal goal academically, she always figures out a way to fix it. She is honest, respectful, caring and a gentle leader.”
Beyond the classroom, Mirza further commits her time and talents to a variety of events, clubs and activities at Willowbrook. She is a member of the Muslim Student Association, Student Board of Communication, Student Council, Mock Trial, Science Olympiad and the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series (a program focused on preparing students to recognize and learn from the diversity around them to promote and support an inclusive and accepting learning environment for all students). Mirza also serves as a New Beginnings leader, assisting and mentoring freshmen as they transition to high school. She has been a member of the Girls Bowling Team and the Girls Badminton Team as well. Mirza volunteers to help with school events such as Open House, Curriculum Showcase, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Eighth-grade Step-Up Days and Eighth-grade Parent Nights. Outside of Willowbrook, she helps at the York Township Food Pantry and with a variety of community service projects.
“I have known Mirza for three years, and she is a fantastic student,” said Mike Warren, Willowbrook science teacher. “In class, she is thoughtful and motivated with the content, dynamically connecting what we learn in class to the world outside. She actively completes labs with an inquiry mindset, while being a great group leader and mentor to others. She makes great connections with her peers and faculty; she is a natural leader who does not shy away from responsibility. As a member of Science Olympiad, she has been the group leader for several events and has become a competitor on whom the team can rely. I know she will do great things in the future, and I will genuinely miss her when she graduates.”
Willowbrook world language teacher Dmitri Martinez agreed.
“Mirza began creating her legacy as one of District 88’s best as a freshman,” Martinez said. “In Spanish, Mirza brought her positivity to every class, helping to foster a unique learning environment that encouraged the efforts of all students. A diligent student, Mirza leads by example, and her academic achievement is attributed to her solid work ethic. We are all most eager to hear about Mirza’s future success, and she is one of the most motivated students I have had the pleasure of teaching during my time at Willowbrook.”
Mirza plans to apply to Northwestern University, University of Michigan and The University of Chicago, where she looks to study medicine and pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon.
- District 88 values the hard work and achievements of students and wants to make sure students are honored and recognized for their accomplishments. The District 88 Board of Education and administration created the 88’s Best award to highlight students’ success. That award recognizes nine Addison Trail and nine Willowbrook students each school year for reaching their personal best in various areas. Recipients are honored during a District 88 Board of Education meeting in one of the following areas: academics, highly improved performance, extracurricular activities, service work or performing arts/electives. They receive an 88’s Best glass sculpture and a certificate to a local restaurant.