Addison Trail names January recipient of 88’s Best recognition

Left: Pictured is Addison Trail senior Dylan Moran, who has been named as the school's January recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his stellar involvement in extracurricular activities. Right: Moran (pictured second from right in the bottom row) is recognized as Addison Trail's January recipient of 88’s Best recognition during the District 88 Board of Education meeting on Jan. 25.

Dylan Moran has been named as Addison Trail’s January recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his stellar involvement in extracurricular activities.

Moran, a senior, was recognized during the Jan. 25 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To listen to his 88’s Best presentation, click the audio file above.

Moran’s presence is well known at Addison Trail. He is dedicated, kind and doesn’t always like the attention he acquires through his talented performances on the cross-country course. But his quiet, influential and commanding leadership in class and with his fellow athletes is more than worthy of this award. Moran has been a member of the Boys Cross-Country Team and the Boys Track and Field Team at Addison Trail for four years. He also has managed a rigorous academic schedule, taking eight Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and six honors courses – all with outstanding grades. Moran has competed at Sectionals in cross-country three years in a row, he qualified for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Boys Cross-Country State meet last year, and he broke the school’s track and field two-mile record as a sophomore and then again as a junior.

“Moran joined our program as a talented freshman after participating in our summer camp during junior high,” said Brad Donaldson, Addison Trail cross-country coach. “He will leave AT as the most accomplished cross-country runner in program history. He is a two-time All-Conference medalist (finishing 3rd in 2019 and 2020). He also is a four-time Regional team participant, a three-time Sectional qualifier and a State finalist in 2019 (there was no State meet in 2020 because of COVID-19), setting a school record with his State finals performance. The thing that really stands out about Moran is his drive and determination to succeed. Not only did he have high expectations for himself, but he followed through on his plans to achieve them. Everyone wants to be elite – until it is time to be elite. Most athletes aren’t willing to make the sacrifice of time and effort to achieve lofty goals. Moran was more than willing. We had one of our best teams this past season (during the COVID-19 disruption), and I firmly believe our success was rooted in his leadership skills and abilities. He was able to organize and coordinate his teammates in the time that we could not be together. When we were able to practice, it was like we hadn’t missed a beat. Throughout a season that saw us never run a common course from prior years or participate in an invitational meet, this year could have been a real challenge, but Moran’s attitude and leadership kept the team in flow and culminated with us almost qualifying as a team for Sectionals (one spot removed).”

Addison Trail Boys Track and Field Team Head Coach Jim Ziebka agreed.

“As an elected team captain, Moran leads by example with his indomitable work ethic,” Ziebka said. “In my 15 years at AT, I have not coached a student-athlete more committed to his craft than Moran. He has rewritten the AT records for distance running. His talents, leadership, presence and personality will be sorely missed by many upon his graduation. Over the years, Moran also has volunteered with our team at Northern Illinois Food Bank, Kiwanis Peanut Days and at numerous concession stand events. He was always all in to help the track and field program.”

Moran said his biggest reward in being a student-athlete is that he has truly changed the culture of cross-country and track and field at Addison Trail. When he first began, he noticed the members were not really into training – many joined the sport just to hang out with their friends. But, Moran leads by example – so he started doing winter and summer camps and got his peers to join him and be more involved in the sport. Moran’s favorite subject in school is science, so it’s no surprise he found a way to combine his love of the subject matter with his love for the sport. He started taking classes on the human body and has taken Anatomy and Physiology, Bio-Medical Science, Medical Careers and AP Biology.

“As a student in AP Biology this year, Moran has consistently impressed me with the overall quality of his work and his ability to convey complex ideas,” said Carolyn Erwin, Addison Trail science teacher. “He participates in class all the time, which I appreciate so much in our current learning mode! He is present, timely, brilliant and hardworking. All of these attributes will equate to continued success for his future endeavors. It is a pleasure to have him in class, and my congratulations to him and his family for his academic and athletic prowess.”

Addison Trail science teacher Aileen Sullivan agreed.

“I met Moran when he was a freshman in one of my Biology Honors classes,” Sullivan said. “He was always inquisitive and striving to do his best. Aside from his strong academics, it was quickly apparent he also had a good heart. Classmates were drawn to him because of his self-confidence, intelligence, friendliness and good humor. These wonderful qualities also were evident as a team member of Science Olympiad. As a young member, he was sought out by older members of the group because he was a team player – dependable and hardworking. Moran is a passionate person, who will be successful in whatever he pursues. I look forward to seeing him come back to share his story years from now, perhaps as a future Tradition of Excellence recipient.”

Addison Trail English Department Head Amy Ferraro said what makes Moran stand out is his drive to improve and his natural leadership ability.

“Moran was a bright light in AP English Language and Composition last year – prepared, thoughtful, willing to engage in class discussions and challenge himself and his peers. I was most impressed with his humility. Moran doesn’t love to write, but he was always willing to ask for help and share his work with the class in an effort to grow. He is a witty, kind and genuine young man, who is an excellent role model for his peers.”

Moran plans to attend Elmhurst University, where he will study exercise science and run for the Men’s Cross-Country Team and the Men’s Track and Field Team.

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