Addison Trail names February recipient of 88’s Best recognition

Yana Patel (pictured at right, with Addison Trail Principal Jack Andrews) has been named as Addison Trail’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding service work. Patel, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 28 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch her 88’s Best presentation, click on the video above.

Throughout her four years at Addison Trail, Patel has participated in numerous clubs and also is at the top of her class academically. She is a great role model for her peers and balances all of it with a positive attitude and a contagious Blazer spirit that has had a lasting impact on her teachers and classmates.

Academic achievements:

  • Named as a State Scholar
  • Named as the Social Studies Department’s Student of the Semester
  • Recognized as an AT’s Best student
  • Earned Honor Roll status since her freshman year

Involvement at Addison Trail:

  • Key Club (serves as an honorary board member and the 2021-22 Governor for the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Key Club International)
  • Member of Math Team
  • Member of Business Professionals of America (BPA) (competed as a finalist at the state and national levels)
  • Member of International Dance (served as President this year)
  • Member of National Honor Society (NHS)
  • Member of Youth and Government
  • Member of Theatre (crew)
  • Serves as a Class Officer

Community involvement:

  • Patel has been dancing since she was about 6 years old and participates in a cultural dance program, where she competes nationally.

Future plans:
Although Patel is still deciding which college she will attend, she plans to go to a four-year university and earn degrees in international relations and international business (law and econ). Her dream careers include serving as U.S. Secretary of State or being CEO of a very big business.

Staff member comments:

“Patel was one of the most impressive students I’ve ever taught. She works incredibly hard and is a natural class leader. She is the type of student teachers dream of and is sorely missed from my class.”

- Addison Trail social studies teacher Ryan Peronto

“A thread of kindness is interwoven into everything Patel is and does. She cares so much about everyone around her, including her family, school and community! She has an innate ability to see the positive in life. She can take a different problem and come up with a multitude of solutions that benefit all.”

- Addison Trail science teacher Andrea Grossart

“Patel is a young woman of commitment and intelligence. However, more important than Patel’s intellect and dedication is her genuine desire to use her strengths to help others. As a veteran teacher, I have known many intelligent students, but few stand out in my memory as Patel will. A superb student like Patel perseveres not only for her benefit, but instead with the hopes of helping others. She is a natural leader, but also a trusted team player. She always does her best, but she is not afraid to make mistakes. She is happy to help others, but she also knows when to ask for help. Patel has had a significant impact on the Addison Trail community because of her empathetic nature, her drive to succeed and her remarkable leadership qualities.”

- Addison Trail world language teacher Kathleen McColaugh

  • 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.