'Patience, Grace And Kindness': Burr Ridge Star Student

BURR RIDGE, IL – Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Katie Bukowski, who nominated Reese, an 11th grader from Burr Ridge.

Star local student’s name

Reese, an 11th grader

Star local student’s home state

Illinois

How do you know the star local student?

My niece

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

I have had the privilege of watching my beautiful, smart, hardworking, and all-around amazing niece grow into the young woman that she is today. Since kindergarten, she has been in Girl Scouts and is working so hard on getting her Gold Award to put a freestanding library near a park in her neighborhood for all families to enjoy.

From a small age, Reese has always put her family, faith, friends, and school above herself. Her hard work and determination in school and dance have been rewarded with multiple plaques and trophies. She is on her danceline team at school, and they just placed 11th at the IHSA state competition for all of Illinois schools. She has been dancing at her dance studio, Impact Dance since she was 5 years old and now works at the studio. With all of her hard work and dedication, she is now helping the instructors, assists in running dance camps and helps choreograph dances for the younger dancers. She has a passion for dance and teaching young children. She is truly unstoppable and always leads with such patience, grace, and kindness.

When it comes to her studies at Hinsdale South. Reese has been on the honor roll for 3 consecutive years and is also a member of 5 different clubs: Global Humanitarian, Hornet Leadership Board, Key Club, Peer Leadership Network and Wounded Warriors. On top of Girl Scouts, dance, teaching, cheer, school, and the plethora of clubs.

Reese also babysits for many different families around her neighborhood. If you need something done and done correctly, she is the person to ask. I honestly do not know how she does it all and with a smile on her face! As a mother of a 9-year-old little girl, I love that my child has such an amazing role model to look up to.

I know that Reese is always there for all of us, especially her brother and her cousins who also look up to her. In today's world and the difficulties that so many of our youth have faced these past few years, Reese has always held her head up high, focused on the present and continued to excel in whatever obstacles that have come her way.

To me, she is more than extraordinary and I am so unbelievably proud to be her Aunt. I can’t wait to see what big things she does in the future. For a light this bright is meant to be seen and recognized.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

She’s humble, hardworking, and never gives up.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Reese, 11th grader!

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Know an outstanding student?

Nominate them here.