Three Willowbrook seniors sign to play their respective sport at the collegiate level

On Dec. 6, Willowbrook hosted a signing ceremony for three senior student-athletes who signed National Letters of Intent to play their respective sport at the collegiate level. To watch a video of that event, click the video above.

Elissa Haake

Haake has committed to join the Purdue University Women’s Swimming & Diving Team, where she will compete in freestyle.

Haake celebrated with teammates, friends, administrators, staff members and family members. Haake is a four-year member of the Addison Trail-Willowbrook Girls Swimming Team and said highlights of her high school career include:

  • Holding three school records (in the 100-yard freestyle, the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle)
  • Being the first freshman on the Addison Trail-Willowbrook Girls Swimming Team to qualify for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Swimming & Diving State Meet
  • Qualifying for the IHSA Girls Swimming & Diving State Meet nine times (Haake qualified for state in every individual freestyle event)
  • Earning three top-10 finishes at the IHSA Girls Swimming & Diving State Meet

Haake has only been swimming competitively since she was 13 years old and said the competitive nature of the sport is what makes her want to continue at the collegiate level.

“I just love swimming so much!” Haake said. “I tried so many sports before I ‘dove’ into swimming. In my mind, none of the other sports compared. I love the intensity and competition of swimming, and I’m so excited to swim for four more years.”

Haake plans to pursue a degree in actuarial science at Purdue University.

Holly Helsper

Helsper has committed to join and compete for the University of St. Francis Women’s Bowling Team.

Helsper celebrated with teammates, friends, administrators, staff members and family members. Helsper is a four-year member of the Willowbrook Girls Bowling Team and said highlights of her high school career include:

  • Earning 2nd place at Sectionals
  • Finishing in 11th place at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Bowling State Tournament
  • Finishing in 3rd place at Conference

Helsper has been bowling competitively for four years and said the collegial nature of the sport is what makes her want to continue at the collegiate level.

“Everyone who bowls is super nice,” Helsper said. “And the sport is just a lot of fun to do all the time.”

Helsper plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice at University of St. Francis.

Victoria Palma

Palma has committed to join the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Women’s Cross-Country Team and Women’s Track & Field Team, where she will compete in mid-distance or distance events.

Palma celebrated with teammates, friends, administrators, staff members and family members. Palma is a four-year member of the Willowbrook Girls Cross-Country Team and Girls Track Team and said highlights of her high school career include:

  • Being the first member of the Willowbrook Girls Cross-Country Team to qualify for the IHSA Girls Cross-Country State Meet in 12 years
  • Qualifying twice for the IHSA Girls Cross-Country State Meet
  • Holding the 3-mile school record (17:50)
  • Holding the 1600-meter school record (5:08)
  • Winning the 1600-meter and the 3200-meter events at Conference (indoor/outdoor)

Palma has been running competitively for four years and said the competitive nature of the sport is what makes her want to continue at the collegiate level.

“I love how running helps me set goals, work hard and exceed any limits I had on myself,” Palma said. “Running taught me perseverance and confidence. The team environment and friendships that come with the sport also make me love it.”

Palma plans to pursue a degree in mechanical or civil engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.