Addison Trail names January recipient of 88's Best recognition

Klea Gjonaj has been named as Addison Trail’s January recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her stellar involvement in extracurricular activities. Gjonaj, a senior, was recognized during the Jan. 30 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch Gjonaj’s 88’s Best presentation, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6277.

When Gjonaj first stepped into Addison Trail as a freshman, she had hardly spent any time participating in clubs and had never been an athlete. However, she did have peers she looked up to, and all of those students were involved – and Gjonaj knew she wanted to be a part of that as well. Gjonaj now competes at the highest level in swimming and track, and she is involved in an extensive number of clubs and activities at Addison Trail.

Along with being successful in the world of sports and clubs, Gjonaj has always been an academic superstar. When she graduates from Addison Trail, Gjonaj will have completed 14 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and nine Honors courses. She is at the top of her class and challenges herself every chance she gets. She has been on the Honor Roll all four years of her high school career and is an AP Scholar with Distinction.

“Gjonaj impresses me on a daily basis,” said Amy Ferraro, Addison Trail English Department Chair. “Her ability to balance co-curricular activities and a rigorous academic load is second to none. I'm most impressed by Gjonaj’s ability to connect with just about everyone she meets. She has demonstrated tremendous leadership through her work with Youth Equity Stewardship Series (YESS!) training. As a member of National Honor Society, she sets the standard for academic excellence and integrity in our school and is a stellar role model for her peers. As an athlete, she has excelled in the pool and on the track, and she incorporates the arts into her world through her work with theatre. She is a well-rounded, motivated and thoughtful young lady, whose determination to succeed and ability to see issues from a variety of perspectives allow her to contribute in the most positive fashion to our school community. I'm confident she will continue her positive work when she gets to college.”

Not only has Gjonaj dedicated extraordinary amounts of time to swimming and track, but she also has been a major contributor to National Honor Society, Key Club, Theatre, Science Olympiad, YESS! training to enhance cultural competency within the school, Blazer Ambassadors and Pay It Forward (freshmen orientation), among others. She is President of Lettermen’s Club, Secretary of Key Club and President of Science Olympiad.

“Outside of the classroom, Gjonaj has exhibited strong character and leadership, which, combined with her academic record, have made her an invaluable role model for our young women at Addison Trail,” said Laura Magnavite, social studies teacher. “I am astounded by the variety of activities to which she has devoted herself; from varsity athletics, to theatre to academic clubs, Gjonaj has not simply dabbled, but instead has invested her time and rose to attain positions of leadership. She is well-respected by our faculty and her peers for her tireless dedication to her extracurricular and volunteer work – all carried out with her signature smile and positive attitude.”

As a freshman, Gjonaj trained extensively in track, and it paid off – she and her teammates qualified to the State meet, where she also competed during her sophomore year. She has been an integral part of growing the Girls Track and Field Team at Addison Trail, serving as co-captain her junior year. Pay It Forward also has had a positive impact on Gjonaj. She has participated in that event since eighth grade, and she has been a core leader since her freshman year. This year, she is one of two student directors for the orientation day.

“The different clubs and activities broaden my horizons and make me a part of a larger community,” Gjonaj said. “It gives me a broader community sense, and it means a lot to me for my own personal growth and achievement.”

Gjonaj has applied to many colleges and universities throughout the U.S., including Tufts University, Stanford University, Yale University, Princeton University, Brown University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Michigan. She is undecided where she will attend, but she plans to study chemistry, with the hope of one day becoming a doctor.

• 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.