Willowbrook names March recipient of 88's Best recognition

Kelsey Linnig has been named as Willowbrook’s March recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her service work. Linnig, a senior, was recognized during the March 23 District 88 Board of Education meeting.

Linnig is a model of service, who has dedicated herself to helping others. As a result, she has become a leader in the truest sense of the word, and her enthusiasm and energy are contagious.

As a student, Linnig has taken six Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level classes and a variety of honors courses at Willowbrook and has maintained a ranking within the top 10 percent of her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society and Civitas, Willowbrook’s social studies honor society. Linnig also is a member of numerous clubs at Willowbrook such as Blue Crew; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Best Buddies; Relay For Life; New Beginnings and Student Council. She has been a four-year member of the Girls Volleyball Team and has served as a special education teaching assistant, a Special Olympics Basketball Team coach and a Special Olympics Volleyball Team coach. She also will attend the District 88 study abroad trip to Spain during spring break this year.

Outside of school, Linnig finds time to give back to her local parish. She is a volunteer volleyball coach and helps with the Food Wars Challenge for Charity at St. Pius X.

Linnig has always had a passion for helping students with special needs, and she plans to pursue a career as a special education teacher. She said students with special needs have always inspired and challenged her.

“Linnig is one of the most kind, considerate and compassionate students I have had in class,” said Willowbrook physical education teacher Julie Foster. “She is always willing to lend a helping hand and truly cares about others. She is a leader and a positive role model for all at Willowbrook High School.”

Willowbrook world languages teacher Cristy Hebreard agreed.

“Linnig is one of the most giving young women with whom I have ever worked,” Hebreard said. “Her heart is so big, and her smile and generosity are infectious. Linnig going into special education (as a career) is not a surprise. Her love for the kids she works with is so large and so evident. However, the love they have for her is even more so. I wish her the best of luck and know that wherever she goes, those kids will be the luckiest.”

As she looks to the future, Linnig will attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she will study to become a special education teacher.

• 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. Students are honored each month during a District 88 Board of Education meeting in the areas of academics, highly improved performance, extracurricular activities, service work and performing arts/electives.