New ‘State of District 88’ video segment online now

Top left: (From left) Willowbrook junior Holly Helsper, senior Jack Jessen, junior Levi Bentsen and senior Ethan Schuemer are highlighted on Addison Community Television (ACTV) during District 88's “The State of District 88” video segment for their athletic accomplishments. They are pictured with Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause and District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton (right). The show was filmed on April 24. Top right: Willowbrook seniors (from left) Christian Dublin, Sean Olson and Matthew Seymore are featured for their success in automotive competitions. Not pictured is junior Zachary Groleau. Bottom: (From left) Addison Trail freshman Jake Matthews, junior Guillermo Juarez and junior Brian Reyes are showcased for their athletic accomplishments. They are pictured with Addison Trail Wrestling Team Head Coach Rob Serio (fourth from left), Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden and Helton (right).

At District 88, maintaining open, honest and transparent communication with our stakeholders is a top priority.

Ensuring our stakeholders are informed and aware of the happenings at District 88 is a key aspect of helping to accomplish our mission of working for the continuous improvement of student achievement. As part of that focus, we partner with Addison Community Television (ACTV) to film “The State of District 88.” The show takes place about every other month and highlights student successes, as well as important information about the district.

On April 24, we filmed our most recent segment, which features the student highlights listed below. You can watch the episode by clicking the video above.

 

  • Willowbrook senior Jack Jessen: Jessen earned a State Championship after winning the 182-pound division of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Wrestling State Tournament, which took place from Feb. 15 to 17 at State Farm Center in Champaign. With that title, Jessen tied the IHSA's all-time wins record with 201. Jessen also has set numerous school records for the Willowbrook Wrestling Team and is the program’s seventh individual champion. He has competed in national tournaments as well, including winning a national title during the USA Wrestling U.S. Marine Corps Cadet & Junior National Championships this past July, where he won the 182-pound Junior Greco-Roman U.S. Marine Corps National Championship and also earned 2nd place in the Junior Freestyle National Championship.

  • Willowbrook junior Levi Bentsen: Bentsen competed in the IHSA Three-Point Showdown, which took place from March 15 to 17 at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria.

  • Willowbrook senior Ethan Schuemer: Schuemer earned Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 3rd Team All-State recognition. Through his years on the Willowbrook Boys Basketball Team, Schuemer has received several other honors and recognitions as well. He is Willowbrook’s first 1,000-point scorer and became the school’s all-time leading scorer for a career.

  • Willowbrook junior Holly Helsper: Helsper was named as an All-State bowler after finishing in 11thplace at the IHSA Girls Bowling State Tournament, which took place on Feb. 16 and 17 at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford. The Willowbrook Varsity Girls Bowling Team also competed in the tournament, after being named as the IHSA Regional and Sectional Champions.

  • Willowbrook automotive accomplishments:
    • Seniors Christian Dublin and Matthew Seymore earned 1st place at Universal Technical Institute’s High School Top Tech Challenge. That event took place on Feb. 15 and involved hands-on and written automotive testing on vehicle parts, brakes, diagnostics and electrical systems.

    • Senior Sean Olson and junior Zachary Groleau finished in 3rd place at Universal Technical Institute’s High School Top Tech Challenge.

    • Dublin, Seymore, Olson and senior Mitchell Jones also competed in the Automotive Service Technology event during the SkillsUSA Illinois State Leadership & Skills Conference, which took place from April 19 to 21 in Springfield. Seymore is the State Champion in that event and qualified to compete in the National Leadership and Skills Conference, which will take place from June 25 to 29 in Kentucky. Dublin took 2nd place in that event, and Olson took 3rd place in that event.

  • Addison Trail junior Guillermo Juarez: Juarez competed in the IHSA Wrestling State Tournament, which took place from Feb. 15 to 17 at State Farm Center in Champaign. He competed in the 106-pound division.

  • Addison Trail junior Brian Reyes: Reyes competed in the IHSA Wrestling State Tournament, which took place from Feb. 15 to 17 at State Farm Center in Champaign. He competed in the 145-pound division.

  • Addison Trail freshman Jake Matthews: Matthews competed in the IHSA Wrestling State Tournament, which took place from Feb. 15 to 17 at State Farm Center in Champaign. He competed in the 126-pound division.

We are extremely proud of these student-athletes for their accomplishments and for representing their school and community in such a positive manner. Be sure to look for future episodes of “The State of District 88” to see more news and highlights. Coming up in the next segment, we will showcase student state-level and national-level successes in performing arts and various extracurricular activities.

In Addison, “The State of District 88” can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 6 and on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, or online at https://tinyurl.com/y7qnjrk9 and on YouTube at “Village Addison.”

In Villa Park, the show can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 6 and on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, or online at www.tvvpstyle.com/watch. The program is simulcast at 7 a.m. every Thursday.

Thank you for your continued support of District 88.