Addison Trail names October recipient of 88's Best recognition

Alexander Gunnerson has been named as Addison Trail’s October recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his academic accomplishments. Gunnerson, a senior, was recognized during the Oct. 31 District 88 Board of Education meeting.

During his tenure at Addison Trail, Gunnerson has taken 12 honors courses and 12 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and has earned “As” every semester. Four years ago, Gunnerson went on a mission trip to Saint Paul, Minn., where he was exposed to extreme poverty and hardship. After that trip, he realized he has been blessed with so many things.

“Gunnerson is one of my students in AP Biology who has consistently demonstrated ‘outside-the-box’ thinking,” said Carolyn Erwin, Addison Trail science teacher. “When recently asked to develop an analogy for protein structure, Gunnerson made one based on his knowledge of local and global economies. His willingness to participate in class discussions and his overall positive demeanor help to keep our class lighthearted, while still tackling the complexities of life.”

Addison Trail English Department Chair Amy Ferraro agreed.

“As a student in my AP Language and Composition course, Gunnerson was a leader on a daily basis,” Ferraro said. “His preparation for class was extraordinary, and his ability to make connections between what we were reading and current events and other content areas was a wonderful addition to our discussions. He thoughtfully articulates his arguments and supports them with thoroughly explained examples. His classmates see him as a leader, and he takes on the full responsibility of that role. Few students display the work ethic, drive and determination Gunnerson has, and I fully expect he will continue to accomplish great things after he leaves Addison Trail.”

Gunnerson has a passion for government, which crosses into his extracurricular life as well. He is President of the Addison Trail Debate Team and has worked very hard during his four years to not only grow the team, but to make it competitive with other top-ranking schools. This past summer, he attended a two-week debate workshop at Harvard University, where he had the opportunity to meet other students and people from throughout the U.S. to discuss the best practices of debate. He learned different strategies and better methods of research, and he worked on personal and leadership skills. Gunnerson has been able to bring that knowledge back to Addison Trail to help improve the Debate Team.

Gunnerson has earned many awards in debate, including the Illinois Congressional Debate Association (ICDA) award for Best Speaker in Chamber and Best Presiding Officer. He also is involved in many other activities and clubs at Addison Trail, most notably National Honor Society, where he serves as Co-President; Band Board, where he serves as Co-President; Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) Honor Society; Model United Nations; Track and Field; Marching and Concert Bands; Orchestra Winds; and DECA. Gunnerson also has been part of the National Student Leadership Conference on International Diplomacy program and serves his community in a variety of ways, mainly through church service and mission trips, Feed My Starving Children and as a Blazer Ambassador and mentor for freshmen at Addison Trail.

Gunnerson is eager to learn more about the world and would like to travel and explore. He plans to attend college after he graduates, but does not want to be locked into one path of study. He is considering a major in public policy and business management and might be a local politician one day to help people make positive changes in their communities. Gunnerson is applying to many schools, including The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Harvard University and Princeton University.

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