THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008

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Mueller Is May's Maine West 'Best'

By DWIGHT ESAU

Journal Reporter

Maine West's "best" for the month of May is Marguerite (Maggie) Mueller, who is described by her principal as having "strength, courage, and wisdom."

"Whenever I think of Maggie, I think of the recent India Arie song called 'Strength, Courage, and Wisdom,'" Principal Audrey Haugen said at Monday night's (May 5) board of education meeting, where Mueller was honored. She is a West senior.

The "best" program is a student recognition activity instituted by the board. Each month, one senior at Maine East, South, and West is recognized by teachers and administrators for outstanding scholarship, leadership, and extra-curricular activities.

"She is an amazing young lady," Haugen said of Mueller. She cited her extra-curricular work as editor-in-chief of the Westerner, the school newspaper; senior class president, peer mediator, National Honor Society board member, physical education senior leader, Model UN representative, Presidents' Club member, and volunteer with the City of Des Plaines Youth Commission.

"As editor of the newspaper, she has developed a process for helping students expand their skills as writers and thinkers," Haugen said. "Highly invested in her school, city, and church, she brings a thoughtfulness and purpose to all she does.

"She spoke most eloquently at a board meeting and showed her leadership talents in front of a large room filled with adults and students. Her passion for West and its teachers and programs came through clearly. She led leadership discussions with adults as if she had done it many times before. She was the clear leader and every time she spoke, she commanded respect from all around the table."