Addison Trail names November recipient of 88’s Best recognition

Martin Rodriguez has been named as Addison Trail’s November recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his highly improved performance. Rodriguez, a senior, was recognized during the Nov. 30 District 88 Board of Education meeting.

When Rodriguez entered Addison Trail as a freshman, he did not realize the impact grades and diligent work would have on his future. He saw many of his friends not taking school seriously and thought having a year to himself – with no worries about classes or grades – would have no significance. After all, graduation was four years away. But Rodriguez quickly realized he disappointed not only himself, but his parents. From there, Rodriguez decided to make a change. He knew he wanted a future, so during that summer and his sophomore year, he made up all of the classes necessary to get back on track. He saw he was more than capable of doing the coursework his friends were doing, and he began to challenge himself even further by taking honors and Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses in subject areas in which he was interested. Rodriguez is currently enrolled in four AP courses.

Rodriguez said his parents and sister Jairely, a sophomore at Addison Trail, have influenced him to follow a path toward success. Rodriguez also was inspired by one of his peers, Addison Trail alumnus Duy Do (class of 2015). Rodriguez paid attention to what Do did to achieve his goals and knew he had it in him to do the same. Lastly, Rodriguez credits one of his math teachers, Lindsay Bugajsky, for keeping him on track. He really admired how she had everything organized and helped him understand the content. Being in Bugajsky’s class made math his favorite subject.

Other teachers have noticed Rodriguez’s progress as well, including Music Department Chair Dan O’Connell.

“In class, Rodriguez always pursued his guitar skills with the same steady determination,” O’Connell said. “That consistent effort has led Rodriguez to discover he can accomplish anything, as long as he keeps trying!”

Rodriguez also is involved with the Blazer’s Edge program at Addison Trail. He said it is one of the best programs he has been a part of because he knows he is on the edge of success, and the staff members involved with Blazer’s Edge have helped him get past a few obstacles. Addison Trail teacher Mario Fernandez said Rodriguez continues to make tremendous improvements and challenge himself as a student.

“Rodriguez’s hard work and attention to detail in American Studies always made him stand out,” Fernandez said. “Rodriguez always uses his time wisely in Blazer’s Edge and clearly has a plan for his (future) that he is ready to execute. He is … willing to go the extra mile to reach educational success. I am very proud to have been able to teach and mentor Rodriguez.”

Rodriguez would like to attend Northern Illinois University, DePaul University or The University of Illinois at Chicago. He is working through the application process and visiting schools to discover which one will be the best fit for him. Rodriguez is undecided about what he wants to study, but he is leaning toward accounting or business and will be the first in his family to attend a four-year university.

Addison Trail Director of Guidance Kevin Redding said Rodriguez will accomplish great things – no matter what he pursues.

“Rodriguez understands what it takes to be successful and is willing to tell his story to freshmen, so they don’t make the same mistake,” Redding said. “He has decided to take challenging classes again after he struggled his freshman year. Sometimes we struggle at first, but it takes a strong person to go back at it again and challenge themselves to get better.”

• 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 or performing arts/electives.