Willowbrook names March recipient of 88’s Best recognition

Left: Pictured is Willowbrook senior Michael Poirier, who has been named as the school's March recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his outstanding work in the performing arts/electives. Right: Poirier (pictured at left in the second row from the top) is recognized as Willowbrook's March recipient of 88’s Best recognition during the District 88 Board of Education meeting on March 22.

Michael Poirier has been named as Willowbrook’s March recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his outstanding work in the performing arts/electives. Poirier, a senior, was recognized during the March 22 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To listen to his 88’s Best presentation, click the audio file above.

Involvement at Willowbrook:

  • Theatre
    • Served as an actor, an assistant director and a stage manager
    • Recognized as Best Actor
    • Member of productions recognized by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Drama & Group Interpretation State Competition
    • Assists with youth theatre groups as a choreographer and an assistant director
  • Speech Team (where he serves as Co-Captain and has earned Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regional and Sectional recognition for his performances)
  • Music Department and Choir (where he serves as Dance Captain for the CenterStage show choir and has been recognized by the Illinois Music Education Association and the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest)
  • Thespian Honor Society (where he serves as Co-President)
  • Principal Student Leadership Team
  • Student Council

Academic achievements:

  • Completed 12 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and a multitude of Honors courses
  • Named as an AP Scholar with Distinction
  • Named to the Distinction Honor Roll each semester of his high school career
  • Received the Outstanding Student Award in World Language and Math
  • Received the Outstanding Freshman Award
  • Received the Human Relations Award (recipients are nominated by Willowbrook staff members for their outstanding character, sense of others and selfless behavior)
  • Inductee of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, World Language Honor Society and Civitas (Willowbrook’s Social Studies Honor Society)
  • Inductee of Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) Honor Society (where he serves as Vice President)

Future plans:
• Poirier has been accepted to Loyola University Chicago, Saint Louis University, Purdue University and University of Michigan. He is waiting for responses from other institutions before making a final decision of where he will complete his post-secondary education.
• Poirier plans to pursue a major in psychology and a career in criminal justice or forensics.

Staff member comments:
“Poirier is one of those students who every teacher wishes to have in class. He’s not only brilliant, but he is kind, dedicated, helpful and has a work ethic nearly unmatched. No matter how difficult virtual learning may have been for Poirier, he has never missed a beat. The writing he submits for our AP English Literature and Composition course is nearly publishable. His ease and fluidity in his writing is that of a college-level academic. In addition to being a stellar student in class, Poirier has grown to be one of the most prolific speakers in the history of our Individual Events Speech Team. He has earned more points for the team this year than any other speaker in at least 22 years. Due to the virtual tournaments, we gave the speakers the option to be triple entered, and Poirier took that opportunity and ran with it. He placed at every tournament and placed in nearly all three events each tournament. Poirier will leave an immense hole in our program next year, but his ethics and dedication will leave a lasting foundation for all other speakers.”

- Brett Blair, Willowbrook English Department Head and Speech Team Coach

“I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Poirier as his teacher and mentor during the last two school years. When Poirier enters a classroom, he brings a fun, mature and extremely positive energy for learning, which is truly contagious to his peers and teachers alike. Poirier displays a consistent desire to achieve success, which seems to only be increasing the closer he comes to graduating. He also displays clear leadership both in the academic and extracurricular arenas and shows excellent ability to motivate those who surround him. Poirier is a fantastic component to Willowbrook High School.”

- Liz Zwart, Willowbrook math teacher

“Poirier's talent in the performing arts is equally rivaled with his enthusiasm, work ethic and his incredibly kind heart. It has been such a joy to work with him for the past four years – and to watch him grow as a performer, especially this year, has been an absolute thrill. I will miss him next year, and the International Thespian Society will miss having a strong leader who was a tireless advocate for the theatre program and ALL of the performing arts programs here.”

-Regina Wathier, Willowbrook Theatre Director and English teacher

"Guarantee me classes full of students like Poirier, and I’ll rescind my retirement letter. Bright, talented, caring – what a great person!"

- Michael Sullivan, Willowbrook English Teacher

“I had the profound honor of being Poirier’s Prose coach on the Speech Team this year. He’s outrageously talented, but even more impressive than that, he’s a wonderful listener and collaborator (working exceptionally well with his other co-captains this year) and continually sought out other voices to hone and elevate his performances. His talent, determination and openness to ideas will ensure he’s successful on any path he chooses!”

- Adam Hage, Teacher Assistant and Speech Team Coach

  • 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.