Meet Willowbrook’s class of 2021 graduation speakers

Photo by Chris Fox with the Lombardian/Villa Park Review

On May 23, Willowbrook seniors Sarah Fairbank (pictured above, at left) and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Martynenko (pictured above, at right) will address more than 470 of their classmates as the student graduation speakers during Willowbrook’s 62nd commencement ceremonies.

Fairbank was chosen to speak based on her academic standing, as she is ranked in the top 5 percent of the class of 2021. Martynenko will speak as President of the class of 2021.

Get to know Sarah Fairbank
Title of your speech: “Unexpected Blessings”

Summary of your speech: My speech will focus on embracing past challenges and not letting hardships hold you back, but working through those difficult moments.

Lessons/advice you hope to share with your peers through your speech: Always remember to be humble. Everyone has obstacles, but we can overcome those challenges and move forward to build a positive future.

What does it mean to you to be a speaker during the commencement ceremony and to represent the class of 2021? It is definitely humbling. It is a little intimidating to be tasked with creating a message that will resonate with all of my classmates, but I look forward to sharing a speech that is meaningful.

Involvement at Willowbrook: Member of Math Team, Econ Challenge, Mock Trial, Scholastic Bowl, Theatre Leadership Team and Principal Leadership Team (read more at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/11950)

How Willowbrook has supported you: The staff members at Willowbrook have fostered my love of learning. The school also has provided me with an immersive culture, and I have been fortunate to experience various perspectives.

Your future plans: I will attend University of Notre Dame and plan to double major in history and math and earn a certification in secondary education. My goal is to become a high school teacher.

Get to know Elizabeth (Lizzie) Martynenko
Title of your speech: “Our Lasting Legacy”

Summary of your speech: My speech will look back at our high school career and the hardships we’ve faced. I will focus on the importance of looking to the future, while also remembering and celebrating our years at Willowbrook.

Lessons/advice you hope to share with your peers through your speech: Take the memories you’ve made at Willowbrook and the people you’ve met with you as you look to the future and prepare for the next step of college and career.

What does it mean to you to be a speaker during the commencement ceremony and to represent the class of 2021? It is definitely surreal, especially because so much has happened this past year. I look forward to sharing a message that captures our experiences.

Involvement at Willowbrook: Class President; Captain of the Girls Tennis Team; member of National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Best Buddies and a variety of honor societies

How Willowbrook has supported you: The staff members at Willowbrook have helped build my future and always encouraged me to strive for the best for myself.

Your future plans: I will attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and plan to major in biomedical engineering. My goal is to create new devices in the biomedical engineering field.

Willowbrook 62nd commencement ceremony online
The graduation ceremonies can be viewed online at www.dupage88.net/wbgrad. For details, go to http://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12812.

• Students whose last name starts with A-K will graduate at 9 a.m. on May 23.
  
  
• Students whose last name starts with L-Z will graduate at 11 a.m. on May 23.

Seniors, we invite you to share your graduation photos and videos on Twitter and Facebook! Use hashtag #WarriorStrong, so we can post your photos in the District 88 Newsletter and on our website and social media and send them to the local media. (PLEASE NOTE: Using this hashtag means you give permission for your photos and videos to be published through the platforms mentioned above.)