Addison Trail names February recipient of 88's Best recognition

Sophia Belvedere has been named as Addison Trail’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding service work. Belvedere, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 22 District 88 Board of Education meeting.

Belvedere’s academic record is exceptional. She is an Illinois State Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction and has received the AT’s Best award. To date, she has taken 12 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and nine Honors courses and has received a grade of A in all of them.

“There are not enough superlatives to describe Belvedere – it is like she was created in a lab by teachers for teachers,” said Laura Magnavite, Addison Trail social studies teacher. “As a student in my AP European History class, Belvedere exceeded expectations on a daily basis. I was taken immediately with her enthusiasm, which took the form of constant questioning – questions that demonstrated her keen mind and desire to know not just the what of history, but more importantly the how and the why.”

Addison Trail math teacher Julie Rana agreed.

“Not only is Belvedere successful academically, but she also encourages and helps her fellow classmates, so they experience success (as well),” Rana said.

Belvedere has a passion for math and science and has a keen awareness she is a minority in that field. This has made Belvedere even more aware of her purpose in life – she is passionate about helping others and often tutors students in math. She knows that by helping others see what she sees, she can increase the number of women in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and simultaneously further her goal of making the world a better place.

Belvedere’s ambition to learn does not stop in the classroom. She has an affinity and genuine concern about how she will contribute to the world in which she lives and works very hard to help.

“Service embodies something that’s really important to me – treating others how you want to be treated and giving back not only because you’re expecting to receive back, but simply because you want to,” Belvedere said. “It makes me happy knowing I contributed to something beyond me.”

Her extreme kindness has led her to serve her community in many capacities, including school, church and the Village of Addison. Belvedere works with Student Council during Teacher Appreciation Week and also helps tutor students. The environment is particularly important to Belvedere, and she enjoys participating in the annual Park Pride Cleanup event hosted by the Addison Park District. Holiday volunteering also is close to Belvedere’s heart – she works with the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization to create and deliver holiday baskets, and she also works with the Trinity Free Clinic every year. Belvedere has been an active volunteer at many church events, school events and holiday food drives and has leant her service to many students at Addison Trail.

Belvedere also participates in a number of extracurricular clubs. While involved in too many activities to count, her favorites include Science Olympiad, Math Team, Pay It Forward and International Dance. Belvedere has taken home many awards in those areas; her eight-person math team has placed first several years in a row, and she placed first in the individual test for geometry and advanced algebra in the West Suburban Conference math competition. But Belvedere doesn’t just participate in those clubs – in many cases, she serves in leadership positions. She is President of Science Olympiad, Vice President of National Honor Society, an officer in Best Buddies, a Board Member in Key Club and a PE Leader. Belvedere credits much of her ability to guide others to the West Suburban Conference Leadership summits she has attended and led.

Belvedere’s continuous curiosity is what motivates her as a learner. She is deeply proud of her tutoring work with other students, helping them better understand their struggles and truly realize the power of knowing.

“The point of pursuing knowledge is because you want to, not because you have to,” Belvedere said. “We would have a better place in this world if we all wanted to know more.”

Belvedere plans to attend Northwestern University or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign next fall. She plans to major in chemical engineering, with a focus in sustainable energy.

• 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. Students are honored each month during a District 88 Board of Education meeting in the areas of academics, highly improved performance, extracurricular activities, service work or performing arts/electives.