Penelope DelValle (pictured above, with Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause) has been named as Willowbrook’s October recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding academic accomplishments. DelValle, a senior, was recognized during the Oct. 18 District 88 Board of Education meeting. To watch her 88’s Best presentation, click on the video above.
As a student, DelValle consistently pursues the most rigorous courses available at Willowbrook. DelValle actually began her high school career while she was in middle school, as she completed math and world language courses at Willowbrook when she was in seventh and eighth grades.
Academic achievements:
Involvement at Willowbrook:
Staff member comments:
“DelValle is a very deserving student for District 88’s Best. I have enjoyed working with her during the last four years as her School Counselor. Outside of her commitment to her academics, DelValle has been a staple in our work with the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) program. Her commitment to helping students and being the bridge between students and staff has been a tremendous asset to our work. Whenever we call upon her for presentations or activities, she jumps at the opportunity. She represents herself, her family and District 88 in a positive way at all times. As the face of The Brook Channel (Willowbrook’s student news channel), I have enjoyed working with her to communicate events and news to the student body. DelValle will always be a Warrior, and I can see her continuing to return for various events and speaking to future Warriors and educators.”
- Dana Whittaker, Willowbrook Director of School Counseling
“I have had the pleasure of knowing DelValle since she was in my AP Human Geography course. She was always determined to do her best and was relentless in learning from her mistakes and improving as a student. That determination is evident in all she does. It has been amazing to see her devotion to her academics and extracurricular activities, and Willowbrook has been blessed to have her walk the halls for the last four years. She will be missed when she moves on to her next big adventure, but there is no doubt in my mind that the same determination and drive will make her successful in all she sets out to accomplish.”
- Brett Maguire, Willowbrook Social Studies Department Head
“Having had the privilege of teaching DelValle in two classes now, it’s hard to articulate the amount of respect and admiration I have for her both as a student and as an individual. She is eternally positive, hardworking and diligent. She embraces her learning, hungers for knowledge and understanding, and eagerly accepts academic challenges. And she does it all with a smile on her face and a resolute demeanor that I have seldom seen from any student in nearly 20 years of teaching.”
- Matt Clapper, Willowbrook social studies teacher
“DelValle has been an integral part of the success of the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) program. She has a passion for social justice and a heart to make sure every single person has the opportunity to learn, achieve and be successful. Her work in creating and hosting The Brook Channel (Willowbrook’s student news channel) has been an amazing part of keeping all members of our community informed and connected during the most challenging of circumstances. Maybe most powerfully though, everything she does is done with kindness and respect. She is truly one of Willowbrook’s best!”
- Pete Montgomery, Willowbrook social studies teacher