Willowbrook names August recipient of 88's Best recognition
Sally Nijim has been named as Willowbrook’s August recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her academic accomplishments. Nijim, a senior, was recognized during the Aug. 31 District 88 Board of Education meeting.
As a student, Nijim consistently pursues the most rigorous courses available at and beyond Willowbrook. At the conclusion of her high school career, she will have successfully completed 15 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses, a multitude of honors courses and five college courses. As a result of her academic success, Nijim has maintained a class ranking within the 99th percentile, earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT (a national college admissions exam), has been named as an AP Scholar with Distinction and has been named to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Student Advisory Council. Beyond the classroom, Nijim is involved in a variety of clubs and activities at Willowbrook, including being a chairperson for Relay For Life and competing in Science Olympiad, Math Team and Scholastic Bowl.
Outside of Willowbrook, Nijim has completed two independent research internships during her high school career, including the study of preventing infectious disease and targeting the nuclear pathway to treat cancer. Those experiences have resulted in her being a co-author of published research findings and being awarded the LMI Aerospace Inc. Award for Excellence in Research. Nijim also was named Grand Champion of Southern Illinois University STEM Center’s Science and Engineering Research Challenge, qualifying her to compete in and be a finalist for the 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and Competition.
“Nijim is an extremely intelligent and gifted young woman, but her incredible academic success is largely attributable to her approach toward learning,” said Matt Clapper, Willowbrook social studies teacher. “She is passionate about learning new things, has a positive attitude and outlook and displays a work ethic that is second to none. She is an active and engaged learner, who enriches the classroom experience for all those around her.”
Willowbrook math teacher Chris Carr agreed.
“Nijim is a scholar in every sense of the word,” Carr said. “She is self-motivated and dedicated to the art of learning. What is even more impressive is she has an awesome personality to add to her impressive mind. Gracious and endearing, I have no doubt Nijim will go on to do impressive things. It also should be noted she earned a perfect score of 5 on the AP Stats exam.”
Willowbrook English teacher Terri Woebel said while Nijim’s academic accomplishments are impressive, her genuine kindness is what makes her stand out as a student.
“Nijim is thoughtful, generous, humble and kind,” Woebel said. “For a student to be both giving and exceptionally intelligent is a gift to our school.”
Nijim is applying to top-tier universities, including Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she plans to major in biology and chemistry and pursue a career as a physician-scientist.
- 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.