Willowbrook names January recipient of 88’s Best recognition

Pictured is Willowbrook senior Everett Stubblefield III (right), who has been named as Willowbrook’s January recipient of 88’s Best recognition. He's pictured with Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause.

Everett Stubblefield III has been named as Willowbrook’s January recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his stellar involvement in extracurricular activities. Stubblefield III, a senior, was recognized during the Jan. 27 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch Stubblefield III’s 88’s Best presentation, click the video above.

Throughout his high school career, Stubblefield III has enrolled in a variety of academic courses and has demonstrated continuous improvement each year. He has learned to access resources to support his learning and has emerged as a leader in the classroom during his senior year. Beyond the classroom, Stubblefield III also demonstrates his leadership skills and talents as an athlete. As a member of the Varsity Football Team, he has been recognized as an All-Conference selection in the West Suburban Conference (WSC) Gold Division, WSC Gold Division Offensive Most Valuable Player, Daily Herald All-Area Player, Friday Night Drive All-Area Player and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) All-State Honorable Mention selection. He is second all-time in reception, yards and touchdowns for a receiver at Willowbrook.

As a basketball player, Stubblefield III is the fastest player to eclipse the 1,000-point mark in school history. During his junior season, he was an All-Conference selection in the WSC Gold Division, All-Area selection and All-State Honorable Mention selection.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being Stubblefield III’s counselor for each of his years at Willowbrook,” said Scott Forcash, Willowbrook Guidance Counselor. “It has been enjoyable to watch his personality and leadership skills develop throughout those years. Stubblefield III is a talented and hardworking young man, who cares about others and maintains a very humble attitude. His peers look up to him as a leader within the building. Stubblefield III has all the qualities needed to be successful beyond high school, so I have no doubt he will do great things after Willowbrook.”

Willowbrook Head Football Coach and Learning Services Department Head Nick Hildreth agreed.

“Stubblefield III has made the most drastic transformation athletically and socially of anyone I have ever coached,” Hildreth said. “As a junior, he was not engaged in any aspect and did not let anyone in. As a senior, he opened up socially and emotionally and became engaged in the process. This positively impacted him on the field and in the classroom. He took on a leadership role and developed into a leader on our team and in the building. I have had multiple teachers ask me whether I could have him talk to a student in their class. He has special handshakes with our ball boys and managers from the SASED Visually Impaired Program, and he is the first to help clean up the field after games and practice. He even makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for players in the office, so everyone has something to eat. He has had a unique educational path, living in multiple states and attending multiple schools, but he found a home here and has truly utilized the resources and people in this building to springboard his success.”

Willowbrook Head Basketball Coach and District 88 Transition Program teacher Chris Perkins said Stubblefield III’s desire to improve and succeed is what makes him stand out.

“Stubblefield III was brought up to varsity midway through his sophomore year and immediately became an impact player,” Perkins said. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching him ever since. To see his growth from the shy, reserved role player on the team as a sophomore to this charismatic, outgoing personality as a senior has been a joy to watch. Not only does his leadership style walk the talk, but he backs it up with action, and his teammates are all receptive to him because of his words of encouragement and positive energy. Stubblefield III will graduate with many athletic accomplishments, but most importantly, he will have positively contributed to what it means to be a Warrior through and through by working hard to overcome the various obstacles he has faced.”

Stubblefield III intends to continue his education and his athletic career, but is undecided on which college and academic program at this time.

• 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 seniors 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. They receive an 88’s Best glass sculpture and a certificate to a local restaurant.