Willowbrook names February recipient of 88's Best recognition

Molly Kuenstler has been named as Willowbrook’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition. Kuenstler, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 24 District 88 Board of Education meeting.

When she graduates in June, Kuenstler will have successfully completed 11 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses, as well as a lengthy list of honors courses. She has maintained a class ranking within the top two percent of her class and is an inductee of the National Honor Society, the Math Honor Society, the Hispanic Language Honor Society, the National English Honor Society and Civitas, Willowbrook's social studies honor society. She also is a Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction.

Kuenstler has not only been involved in numerous organizations, but she has taken prominent leadership roles in several extracurricular activities. She is Captain of the AT/WB Girls Swim and Dive Team, a New Beginnings Leader, a member of the Principal’s Leadership Team and a member of the West Suburban Gold Leadership Conference.

Kuenstler has been involved in Relay For Life, Feed My Starving Children and Key Club, where she has helped with Salvation Army bell ringing and bake sales. She also teaches swim lessons at the Villa Park Parks and Recreation and swims for the Elmhurst Swim Team.

“During the four years I had the privilege of coaching Kuenstler, I have watched her grow into an accomplished competitor, encouraging leader, strong student and vigorous worker,” said Paul Anderson, AT/WB Swim Coach. “From a competitive standpoint, Kuenstler is the most accomplished swimmer in our program’s history. She is a four-year varsity letter winner, a 12-time All-Conference selection, a multiple-time All-Sectional qualifier, a nine-time State qualifier, an All-America-consideration qualifier and an All-State Honorable Mention. On top of her individual accomplishments in the pool, as an individual, Kuenstler has done a great deal to encourage and inspire other members of her team through her strong leadership.”

Brett Blair, Willowbrook English Department Chair, agreed.

“Kuenstler is a gifted and dedicated athlete and student,” Blair said. “Though I do not have Kuenstler in an extracurricular, her hard work is more than evident in our AP English literature class. Any time she offers a suggestion or a comment to analyze the text, she provides accurate, insightful and thoughtful commentary to enhance the class discussion.”

Kuenstler has received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where she plans to major in chemistry. She also will be a collegiate swimmer.