Willowbrook raises more than $70,000 for American Cancer Society

On March 9, Willowbrook hosted its annual Brook Olympics assembly, which is the culminating event of a weeklong series of events and challenges created to enhance tradition and class spirit and pride at the school. Top left: The senior class cheers during the assembly. Top right: Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause (right) gets the senior class pumped up. Middle left: The senior class helps Willowbrook science teacher and Student Council sponsor Malcolm Ross during the "musical chairs" game. Middle right: Willowbrook staff members (from left) Vic Wisner, Matt Scott and Matt Clapper participate in the lip-synch competition. Teacher Aide Curtis Hudson also was part of the group. Bottom left: Participants compete in the "Hamster Ball" event. Bottom right: The senior class (left) competes with the junior class in the tug-of-war. See more photos below from the assembly.

On March 10, the annual Relay For Life of District 88 All Youth event took place at Willowbrook, with a record number of participants. More than 600 staff, students, parents and community members attended the relay, which raised a record of more than $70,000 for the American Cancer Society. Top left and right: Cancer survivors take the first lap in the relay. Bottom left: Pictured are members of the top fundraising team, Alpha Pi Omega, which raised $10,202.31. Bottom right: Students dance during the event.

Top left: Willowbrook senior Taylor Scheelk (right) plays Blockbuster with a group of friends during the Relay For Life of District 88 All Youth event on March 10. Top right: Willowbrook freshmen Lydia Rennie (left) and Kaitlyn Gilberg play a game of bags. Bottom left: Students enjoy a game of ping-pong. Bottom right: The rock at Willowbrook is painted purple in honor of the Relay For Life of District 88 All Youth event.

Willowbrook and Addison Trail recently showed giving back is a cornerstone of District 88 pride.

Participants enjoyed dancing, yoga, Zumba, karaoke, sports, games, an inflatable obstacle course, a coffee bar, a photo booth and more. There also was a luminaria to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer. The team that raised the most money was Alpha Pi Omega, with $10,202.31. That group was comprised of more than 80 Willowbrook sophomores. The top individual fundraiser was Willowbrook senior Lili Greiwe, with $1,962.

Willowbrook also has hosted other events throughout the school year to raise money for the American Cancer Society, including “Go Pink” events for breast cancer awareness and Departments for a Cause.

In October, Willowbrook hosted a variety of events and activities to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Through those efforts, Willowbrook raised more than $800.

This year, 12 departments at Willowbrook supported various cancers throughout the month of February in a new activity called “Departments for a Cause.” The departments wore a specific color each Wednesday in February to support the corresponding cancer and competed to raise the most money. The math department finished in first place, and the activity raised about $1,600 for the American Cancer Society.

The winning team was announced during the school's Brook Olympics assembly on March 9. The Brook Olympics is a weeklong series of events and challenges created to enhance tradition and class spirit and pride at Willowbrook, which culminates with the assembly. During the assembly, classes go head to head in competitions to earn points, with the hope of their class being named the champion. The seniors were named as this year’s winning class. The juniors finished in 2nd place, the sophomores finished in 3rd place and the freshmen finished in 4th place. See photos below from the assembly.