Willowbrook names February recipient of 88's Best recognition

Casey King has been named as Willowbrook’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his outstanding service work. King, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 27 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch King’s 88’s Best presentation, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6336.

As a student, King consistently pursues the most rigorous courses available at Willowbrook. At the conclusion of his high school career, he will have successfully completed nine Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses, as well as a multitude of Honors courses. King also has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors and an Illinois State Scholar and has been a member of the Distinction Honor Roll each semester of his high school career. He is an inductee of National Honor Society, Civitas (Willowbrook’s Social Studies Honor Society), National English Honor Society, Math Honor Society and World Language Honor Society.

Beyond the classroom, King continues to give back to Willowbrook and the community through assisting with Relay For Life and Progress (a program to welcome incoming freshmen); writing for the school newspaper, Skyline; serving as a board member for Blue Crew, Student Council and New Beginnings; and mentoring underclassmen through Willowbrook’s MENTORS program.

King also has represented Willowbrook at the West Suburban Conference Student Leadership Conference for two years, was selected as an Honorable Mention in the 2016-17 DuPage County Daily Herald Leadership Team program and was nominated to the Illinois Academic All-State Team. He further gives back to the Willowbrook community as a member of Varsity Club and Econ Challenge, as well as a four-year member of the Boys Cross-Country, Boys Basketball and Boys Track teams. He has earned All-Conference honors for Cross-Country and Track and is an IHSA Sectional Qualifier for Cross-Country.

“King is truly one of the kindest and most genuine young men I have the honor of knowing,” said Tara Murphy, Willowbrook English Teacher. “He is a member of Blue Crew, and through that, he volunteers for virtually everything we do. This ranges from lunchroom duties to afterschool duties and beyond. He is always the first to ask what can be done and the first to pave the path for new ideas. Further, King has been a volunteer referee for the Special Olympics Basketball Team for the past several years. He is extremely busy as a student and an athlete, but the fact he has dependably shown up for the team shows his dedication to the causes he believes in. His work with the students during these games further exhibits his kindness, patience and care. King is truly deserving of this award and many more accolades at that.”

Willowbrook social studies teacher T.J. Artman agreed. Artman also coaches King on the Boys Cross-Country Team and the Boys Track Team.

“King demonstrates excellent character attributes and has an outstanding work ethic and personality,” Artman said. “He consistently comes to class with a positive and charged attitude and is always motivated and willing to work hard. He participates in class and has positive and beneficial points to add during discussions. When put into groups, King displays leadership qualities, along with a drive to always do his best work. He is respectful to his other group members and makes sure a quality job is done by all. King is a hardworking, punctual, dependable and goal-oriented individual. He has earned the respect of his peers, as well as his teachers. I also have had the pleasure of coaching King during these four years and look forward to what he becomes in the future. He is a very intrinsically motivated individual, who sets very high goals for himself. This student-athlete is the total package. He will be greatly missed in the classroom, halls and in the athletic arenas.”

Willowbrook world language teacher Peg Browne said King’s willingness to help others is what makes him stand out.

“King is one of the nicest kids in our building,” Browne said. “He was in my class two years ago, and to this day he always says, ‘Hola señora.’ When I needed help hanging 75 piñatas as part of a class project, King showed up during his lunch with four buddies, and we got to work. He took charge and was nice as always. He has a great work ethic and academic skills, supporting his teammates and doing whatever he can to help the team. I have no doubt he will be a great doctor.”

In the future, King plans to study biology and attend medical school to eventually become an emergency room physician. He also plans to continue his athletic career in track and is looking to attend Loyola University Chicago, Butler University, Marquette University or Augustana College.

• 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.