Addison Trail names February recipient of 88's Best recognition

Julia Rowley has been named as Addison Trail’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition. Rowley, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 24 District 88 Board of Education meeting.

Throughout her high school career, Rowley has participated in and committed herself to more than a dozen clubs, sports and organizations – all while making the Honor Roll all four years. Her extracurricular activities begin with her involvement in Addison Trail’s service organizations and go well beyond. Rowley is a two-year member and President of Addison Trail’s National Honor Society, she is President of the school’s Tri-M music honor society, she is a Student Director of Pay It Forward (a program to welcome incoming freshmen) and she is heavily involved in Addison Trail’s Freshmen Mentoring program, Second Helping, Lettermen Club, Youth and Government, Philosophy Club and Debate Team.

Rowley also is involved in Addison Trail’s athletic, music and theatre programs. She is a four-year varsity member of the AT/WB Girls Swim and Dive Team and was a two-time State alternate. She is in Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Shades of Blue and the Addison Community Band. Rowley also was selected to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Honors All-State Band for baritone saxophone. She takes private voice and saxophone lessons as well.

“Rowley is one of those special students who is truly interested in learning,” said Addison Trail teacher Mark Ailes. “She loves to challenge herself and cannot say ‘no’ to an opportunity to learn. She is a delight in class and asks good questions other students are thinking, but are reluctant to ask. And her extracurricular involvement is extreme.”

Addison Trail Band Director Mark Corey agreed.

“Rowley is an outstanding musician in class and a phenomenal leader as President of the Tri-M music honor society,” Corey said. “She excels in all of her extracurricular activities, but more importantly, she manages her time for each well.”

Teacher Hannah Sutton has worked with Rowley through Lettermen Club and the Freshmen Mentoring program, and she said Rowley’s enthusiasm never ceases to amaze her.

“Although Rowley is involved in everything under the sun, she has the uncanny ability to make each activity the most important, which is an extremely difficult task,” Sutton said. “I have enjoyed watching her strive to raise money for the Lettermen Club Scholarship (she won the award for most money raised), as well as mentoring freshmen. Whether she’s mentoring in small groups or one-to-one through Second Helping, Rowley makes a connection with students. She brings life into all environments and makes the people she is working with feel valued. She is one of a kind, and I hope in the future her path allows for those unique qualities to shine.”

Rowley is undecided on where she will attend college and what she will study. Her options include DePaul University, Marquette University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University and Washington University. She plans to major in theatre, business or education.