Addison Trail names March recipient of 88's Best recognition

Maxwell Dziabis has been named as Addison Trail’s March recipient of 88’s Best recognition for his outstanding work in performing arts/electives. Dziabis, a senior, was recognized during the March 20 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch his 88’s Best presentation, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6382.

Dziabis has been a staple of Addison Trail Theatre since his freshman year and has had quite a journey in the arts. From a young age, Dziabis knew he wanted to be involved in theatre. It was in fourth grade when Dziabis realized the power of theatre. He was living abroad with his family at the time and was cast in “Seussical” at his school. While he didn’t get the part he wanted, learning the parts and dances in the show came naturally to him – so much so that he knew everyone else’s lines and dances, in addition to his own.

When Dziabis came to Addison Trail, he joined theatre right away and has been cast in every production that has run in the four years he has been at the school. He also was cast in the Student-Directed One Acts his freshman and sophomore years, and he directed one of the plays his junior year. But Dziabis doesn’t just participate in theatre – he studies the characters and becomes them.

“Dziabis is by far one of our most talented, creative and artistic students,” said Anna Jakubka, Addison Trail Theatre Director. “He stood out to me as a freshman through his willingness to put himself out there in an acting workshop. He has been cast in every show throughout his four years and has taken on leadership roles on our Student Theatre Board. I am so proud of Dziabis and all he has done. I cannot capture in words how lucky we are to have a student like Dziabis in our program and how much he has taught me as an educator. I am so excited to see the wonderful things he does in the future. I also will be proud to say, ‘I knew him when!’”

Dziabis has participated in acting, directing, building, painting, costuming, lighting and stage management. He has done everything possible to learn about every aspect of what makes a show. Last summer, he was accepted into a weeklong intensive theatre course called Broadway Break Thru at Roosevelt University in Chicago and took classes at the Theatre Conservatory.

However, the culminating experience for Dziabis happened recently – and it started in 2007. When Dziabis was in middle school, he learned of a project called “Turnabout Musical.” It is an interactive “whodunit” story, and it was one of the first things to ignite Dziabis’ passion for theatre. He was so inspired, he reached out to the team running the show and offered to play a part if they needed anyone. They asked him to audition, and he was chosen for the part he wanted. Dziabis traveled to North Carolina this winter to perform in the original production of the musical, and it was one of the most exciting and rewarding things he has done. He knew he wanted to do something with this show at Addison Trail, and he worked with Jakubka to form a new project. With her guidance, Dziabis is the first student to perform a “senior project” in theatre. The show was a success and raised money for charity, and Dziabis was able to star in, direct and lead his own crew for an entire production that has been his passion project since middle school.

While Dziabis’ love clearly lies in theatre, he also has excelled in music. He has been selected into the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-District Chorus for the past two years and is an active member of the Addison Trail Band and Wind Ensemble. In academics, he is in the top of his class, having taken 10 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and 13 Honors courses.

“Dziabis is entirely comfortable with himself,” said Amy Ferraro, Addison Trail English Department Chair. “He memorizes facts and organizes them for fun, and he passionately studies theatre and sings his favorite show tunes as he walks to class. During discussions, Dziabis often asks questions of other students rather than providing the answers as a way of guiding the class to a better understanding of the material. On more than one occasion, a student has requested I pair him with Dziabis for group work or seminar discussions, because Dziabis pushes the conversation to a higher level in a way that benefits everyone in the room. And, most importantly, I watch teenagers admire Dziabis’ self-confidence while they grapple with accepting themselves. He is a role model for his peers because of his kind heart and his willingness to accept others and make positive connections with everyone he encounters.”

Along with his devotion to theatre and music, Dziabis also spends time in other Addison Trail extracurricular activities. He is Vice President for National Honor Society, a CORE member of Pay It Forward/Freshmen Orientation and a Sergeant at Arms for Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) Honor Society and Student Theatre Board/International Thespian Society. He also is a Blazer Ambassador, a member of the Youth Equity Stewardship Series, a varsity member for Academic Team and a participant in Relay For Life.

Dziabis is undecided with regard to where he will attend school next year, but at the top of his list are Marquette University, Ball State University and The Ohio State University. He plans to major in English and to incorporate a focus on theatre.

• 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.