Addison Trail names November recipient of 88's Best recognition

Pictured is Addison Trail senior Tanvir Dhillon, who has been named as Addison Trail’s November recipient of 88’s Best recognition. She's pictured with Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden.

Tanvir Dhillon has been named as Addison Trail’s November recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her highly improved performance. Dhillon, a senior, was recognized during the Nov. 13 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch her 88’s Best presentation, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/7822 (or click the video above).

Dhillon came to Addison Trail her junior year after moving from India to Addison with her family. Her parents have always wanted her to have the best education, so she began preschool at an English-speaking school in India and continued there until they moved to DuPage County. Dhillon began as an ESL II student at Addison Trail two months after her arrival in the U.S. and flew through ESL II, ESL III and her sheltered core courses.

“Dhillon came to my sheltered American history class last year after only being in the country for two months,” said Mario Fernandez, Addison Trail social studies teacher. “She came from India with a goal in mind – to go into the medical field, and she does everything in her power to excel academically to make that happen. The day I met Dhillon, I knew right away she was special; adjusting to a new school, country and people is not easy, but she handled it like a champ. She learned very quickly how to ‘do school.’ Dhillon went from Sheltered ESL courses to Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses in one year after she figured it out. She jumped into extra-curricular activities with both feet and has become an asset to every club in which she has participated. She has morphed from a shy girl into a role model for all Blazers.”

From the first day Dhillon stepped into the halls of Addison Trail and became a Blazer, she has made a positive impression on her teachers.

“Dhillon is really exceptional – her work ethic is stellar,” said Patti Vendegna, Addison Trail ESL and Spanish teacher. “I had her in ESL III, and she worked hard to improve her English to get out of ESL and into regular classes. She wants to be a doctor and wanted to challenge herself in harder classes. She is pleasant and polite, but a real tiger.”

Addison Trail social studies teacher Jose Hernandez agreed.

“I had Dhillon in class and can say she is an amazing student and individual,” Hernandez said. “Everything she does – whether it is an assignment, project, essay, activity or presentation – is always amazing! She puts so much effort into everything she does that she puts me to shame! I am very proud of her, and I know she will do great things with her life.”

Dhillon has made herself a part of Addison Trail’s culture after school as well, and participating in extracurricular activities is nothing new for her. In India, she was in a few clubs and sports, including wrestling and tae kwon do. At Addison Trail, she is a member of Key Club, Interact Club, Student Council and Pay It Forward. She also has been a strong leader in our new Friday Night Connect program, a partnership between Addison Trail, the local clergy, the Addison Police Department and local governmental officials to provide a place where students in sixth through eighth grades can come together and help one another grow and develop, while enjoying a fun environment filled with friends, food and games. Dhillon values the importance of community connections and wants to help people as much as she can. Dhillon has particularly enjoyed the places she has visited with Key Club and Interact Club, including Ronald McDonald House and the DuPagePads homeless shelter.

Dhillon dreams of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, finding remedies for diseases and helping those who are less fortunate. In India, she had the opportunity to volunteer with doctors and found the work fascinating.

Dhillon plans to study at Loyola University Chicago or University of Illinois at Chicago and work at Rush University Medical Center. She wants to live out the unfulfilled dreams of her mother and is clearly very determined and capable of doing so.

• 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.