Addison Trail names February recipient of 88's Best recognition

Lilia Garcia has been named as Addison Trail’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding service work. Garcia, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 27 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch Garcia’s 88’s Best presentation, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6335.

Garcia is most interested in other people’s stories and how each person contributes to his or her community by the simple act of participating. That genuine kindness and inquisitiveness have led her to pursue unique volunteer and community service opportunities.

During her four years at Addison Trail, Garcia has challenged herself personally and academically. She has taken 11 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and 10 Honors courses.

“Garcia is a bright student and, even more, an amazing young lady,” said Sergio Nunez, Addison Trail Spanish teacher. “She is mature beyond her years, with an inspirational "Yes I can" attitude. Her potential for success is boundless.”

Garcia said her parents drive her to be successful. Their story empowers her to always do her best, and their journey has helped her gain a unique perspective of the world. Garcia is at the top of her class, but in the past year, she has stood out for the work she has done outside of Addison Trail. Last summer, Garcia branched out of her comfort zone and applied for a volunteer position at The Field Museum in Chicago. She went through an extensive application process and was chosen to be one of the few volunteers in the museum.

“For Garcia, volunteering is more than just showing up and helping,” said Shane Cole, Addison Trail Guidance Counselor. “Actively participating and helping others is leading her career path. Last summer, Garcia applied and was selected out of a pool of 300 people to volunteer at The Field Museum in Chicago. Her volunteer work involved specimen preparation, research and archiving for the museum. More importantly, working at The Field Museum reassured Garcia a degree in biology or anthropology was her passion. Garcia’s outstanding work ethic and character will ensure her success in any endeavor she pursues. Her kind heart and innate desire to help others are combined with a calm, confident demeanor. She is an impressive young lady.”

Garcia also volunteers in her community in a variety of ways. She has participated in Feed My Starving Children, Relay For Life, bell ringing and is a Blazer Ambassador. In her role as an ambassador, she tutors other students in social studies and also serves as a mentor for younger students. Garcia genuinely enjoys meeting new people and discovering their unique traits. Through experiencing the different cultures represented at the museum and at Addison Trail, Garcia has realized each person contributes to society in his or her own way.

Not only does Garcia lead an active life of volunteerism, she also participates in many extracurricular activities. Garcia is in band, serves as secretary for Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) Honor Society, is a member of National Honor Society and has participated in Youth in Government and Academic Team. However, the most significant experience Garcia has had in high school is theatre. She started as a quiet freshman, only working on crew. Then she gained the courage to audition for a play, “Twelve Angry Jurors,” and has been a part of almost every production in Addison Trail Theatre in some form since then.

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Garcia,” said Anna Jakubka, Addison Trail Theatre Director. “In Theatre, Garcia works so hard to create characters and devote time to crew. She is one of our most dedicated seniors in both acting and crew. I admire her acting ability and her perseverance; I also admire her as a person. I cannot wait to see what she does in the future!”

After graduation, Garcia plans to go to college, but has not yet decided which institution she will attend. She has decided, however, that she will study biology and anthropology, as her ultimate goal is to work in a museum, researching different specimens.

• 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.