Willowbrook High School senior Bethany Yurich of Lombard was named her school’s recipient of the 88’s Best award for the month of August. Yurich was recognized during the District 88 Board of Education’s Aug. 24 meeting.
The 88’s Best award recognizes students at Willowbrook and Addison Trail high schools for their achievements in and out of the classroom. The District 88 Board of Education joined the district’s administration to create the award to highlight students’ successes. The award recognizes nine Willowbrook students and nine Addison Trail students each school year. Yurich is Willowbrook’s first recipient of the award in the 2026-27 school year.
Willowbrook Principal Dan Krause read comments from some school staff members during the recent board meeting. Those staff members praised Yurich, describing her as an exceptional student who is generous, hard-working, responsible, kind, thoughtful, and humble.
Yurich is an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction. She is the vice president of Willowbrook’s National Honor Society chapter, and a member of several other honor societies. She is a leader in the New Beginnings program, which helps Willowbrook freshmen adjust with the transition into high school.
Yurich is a member of the school’s math team, Key Club, choir and marching band. She’s also a member of the Warriors’ girls cross-country, track and field, and basketball programs.
Speaking at the Aug. 24 board meeting, Yurich thanked her parents, teachers, coaches, friends and peers for helping her achieve success at Willowbrook. She noted the camaraderie and competition that exists between the school’s elite students and stated that the competitive nature among them pushes them to grow.
Yurich hasn’t yet decided where she will continue her education after she graduates from Willowbrook. She plans to study mechanical or aerospace engineering.
