Addison Trail names February recipient of 88's Best recognition

Pictured is Addison Trail senior Katarina Surjancev, who has been named as the school's February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding service work. She is pictured with Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden.

Katarina Surjancev has been named as Addison Trail’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding service work. Surjancev, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 26 District 88 Board of Education meeting. 

When she first entered Addison Trail as a freshman, Surjancev doubted the power of her influence and did not think she could ever have a large enough impact to make significant change. However, she joined Key Club as a freshman, and her perspective began to shift. She noticed how the upperclassmen set good examples and how much they were actually able to do, even as young high school students. She watched and learned how past Key Club Board Members got involved beyond their school, even at the district level, where they set the bar for other students.

As a senior and Key Club President, Surjancev led the effort to win a $758 grant from Kiwanis International and the Nickelodeon HALO Movement to bring “PAWS FOR A CAUSE,” an animal-friendly adoption fair, to Addison. Surjancev’s passion for animals and strong desire for pet adoption drove her to work with her Key Club Board and membership to get students and staff to vote for their idea, and the event will take place in April at Addison Village Hall. Addison Trail was one of only 11 schools to be chosen for this award.

Surjancev also is Co-President of National Honor Society and is an Illinois State Scholar as well. She has been a member of the Girls Track Team and the Academic Team for four years. Through track, Surjancev learned the value of teamwork and trust, and that has carried over into her leadership positions with other clubs.

Surjancev continues to be a leader in and out of the classroom and truly wants to make a positive difference in the lives of everyone around her. Not only is Surjancev dedicated to helping others, but she also is an outstanding student. She has taken 13 Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses and nine Honors courses throughout her Addison Trail career, and her transcript is comprised of only As.

“There is not enough I can say about Surjancev,” said Carolyn Erwin, Addison Trail science teacher. “She is a natural leader, who works well with her peers, and I am thrilled she is being recognized for this award. Her integrity, enthusiasm for learning and her phenomenal work ethic inspire me every day. Her future is so incredibly promising and bright, and she will continue to be someone to foster positive change in her world.”

Surjancev is highly involved in Theatre as well and is a Thespian. Theatre Director Anna Jakubka said Surjancev has been a great asset to the program.

“Without a doubt, Surjancev is one of the most mature and responsible students I have ever had the pleasure of having in theatre,” Jakubka said. “Her level of creativity astounds me. I was so lucky to have her audition for ‘Macbeth,’ where she found a love for fight choreography. I am so proud of all she learned and how she was able to teach other students throughout her years at Addison Trail. She is an extremely strong actor as well, who has learned quite well how to make strong acting choices and commit to characters. Surjancev is such a positive energy in our theatre. I will be sad to see her leave, but I know her energy is boundless, and she will do great things.”

Surjancev plans to study bioengineering at either The University of Illinois at Chicago or University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is interested in the area of prosthetics and body technologies.

• 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. They receive an 88’s Best glass sculpture and a certificate to a local restaurant.