Meet Willowbrook’s class of 2019 graduation speakers

Pictured are Willowbrook seniors Maxwell Polanek and Victoria Palma, who will serve as the student graduation speakers during Willowbrook’s 60th commencement ceremony on May 19.

On May 19, Willowbrook seniors Victoria Palma and Maxwell Polanek will address more than 500 of their classmates as the student graduation speakers during Willowbrook’s 60th commencement ceremony.

Palma was chosen to speak based on her academic standing, as she is ranked in the top 5 percent of the class of 2019. Polanek will speak as President of the class of 2019.

Palma’s speech, entitled “Delta,” strives to encompass all members of the class of 2019. She will focus on how change is an inevitable experience, and while it might not feel right at the time, change can sometimes lead to the best outcome if you embrace it.

“I hope my speech inspires my classmates to cherish everything they’ve done,” Palma said. “I plan to talk about all we’ve accomplished as a class and how changes in our lives can be looked at as opportunities to do even more and better. I truly feel this is the best graduating class of Willowbrook, and it’s a giant honor to represent and encompass all of our experiences.”

At the conclusion of her high school career, Palma will have completed 13 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses, as well as a multitude of honors courses. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and has been named to the Distinction Honor Roll each semester of her high school career. She serves as President of Willowbrook’s National Honor Society and is an inductee of Civitas (Willowbrook’s Social Studies Honors Society) and Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) Honor Society, as well as the Math, English and World Language honor societies. She also is a Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series ambassador, promoting and supporting an inclusive and accepting learning environment for all students. Beyond the classroom, Palma is a member of Math Team, Science Olympiad, Scholastic Bowl, Student Council and Key Club. She also is a member of the Girls Cross-Country and Track teams. Palma has committed to join the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Women’s Cross-Country Team and Women’s Track & Field Team, where she will compete in mid-distance or distance events. She plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Polanek’s speech is entitled “Warriors: A Tale of the Future.”

“When I look at the class of 2019, I see a group of people who are destined for countless locations, experiences and mindsets,” Polanek said. “I hope my speech encourages my peers to keep an open mind and to never accept things as they are, but really explore what things mean to them. I hope it helps them look at the rest of their lives productively.”

At the conclusion of his high school career, Polanek will have completed 12 AP courses, as well as a multitude of honors courses. As a result of his academic success, Polanek has been recognized as a Finalist in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program and as an AP Scholar with Distinction and has been named to the Distinction Honor Roll each semester of his high school career. He also earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36 (which is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students have learned in school), was recognized with the Outstanding Freshman Award and is an inductee of Civitas (Willowbrook’s Social Studies Honor Society) and National Honor Society. He is a member of Math Team, Science Olympiad and Model United Nations. He also has participated on the wrestling and cross-country teams and serves as a Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series ambassador, promoting and supporting an inclusive and accepting learning environment for all students. Polanek plans to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and pursue a degree in chemical engineering.

Willowbrook 60th commencement ceremony online
Can’t make it in person to Willowbrook’s 60th commencement ceremony on May 19? No problem! The graduation will be streamed live at 1 p.m. (CST) online at www.dupage88.net/wbgrad.