Willowbrook presents 2023-24 third-quarter Outstanding Students and Outstanding Teacher

Pictured are Willowbrook students who were recognized as Outstanding Students during an event in their honor on Feb. 22. They are (back row, from left) freshman Zachary Gonzalez, sophomore Salman Siddiqi, junior Trent Kovacs, freshman Jorge Rosales, junior Matthew Herz, senior Brandon Carrillo, junior Mia Simmons, (front row, from left) senior Diego Morales Perez, sophomore Illia Kyrychenko, senior Lauren Maher and senior Gabriel Angulo. Not pictured is freshman Ricardo Ayala.

On Feb. 22, 12 Willowbrook students were recognized as Outstanding Students for the third quarter of the 2023-24 school year.

To watch the presentation, click on the video above.

Criteria to be chosen for that award include:

  • Demonstrating extraordinary achievement, outstanding effort, commendable attitude and motivation

  • Ability to overcome obstacles

  • Continuous exemplary performance

During the event, Willowbrook Assistant Principal Dr. Jamie Gourley welcomed the recipients and their families, as well as the staff members who nominated the honorees. Participants enjoyed breakfast provided by The Brook Catering Co., which is comprised of Willowbrook culinary students. 

The Outstanding Students are:
Art: Senior Brandon Carrillo

Career and Technical Education (CTE): Junior Trent Kovacs

English: Junior Mia Simmons

Learning services: Freshman Ricardo Ayala

Literacy: Sophomore Illia Kyrychenko

Math: Senior Diego Morales Perez

Music: Senior Lauren Maher

Physical education: Senior Gabriel Angulo

Science: Sophomore Salman Siddiqi

Social studies: Freshman Jorge Rosales

Warrior Resource Center (WRC): Freshman Zachary Gonzalez

World languages: Junior Matthew Herz

Willowbrook English teacher Michael Sullivan (pictured above, right) received the Outstanding Teacher award and was presented by Willowbrook sophomore Suha Salman (pictured above, left). To earn the Outstanding Teacher award, a staff member must treat teaching as a passion – not just a job, create a positive learning environment where students feel encouraged and supported, use a variety of strategies to engage students, be willing to offer extra support when needed, provide prompt and effective feedback to students on their learning, and relate to and understand the viewpoints and perspectives of students.