The Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education honored three students in the area of technology and innovation naming them “207’s Best” at a recent meeting. The students honored were Victoria Djurickovic (left) from Maine West, Izabela Joks (center) from Maine East and Daniel Troyan (right) from Maine South.
The following information was written about each honoree as a part of the nomination by their school principal: Dr. Antwan Babakhani at Maine South, Dr. Eileen McMahon at Maine West and Dr. Melissa A. Pikul at Maine East.
VICTORIA DJURICKOVIC, MAINE WEST
Every so often as a Principal you find yourself connecting with a student who makes you forget for a minute that she is only 17 years old. On the day I met with Victoria to talk about her path in engineering and architecture, we found ourselves talking wistfully about the healthy pace of life in European countries, as she experienced in her visits to her family home in Montenegro. She talked with notable professionalism about her design portfolio, explaining how she mapped out and modeled a family home for Habitat for Humanity, opening the floorplan to create a bright, open, and airy feel in a small living space. She told me about her routines for self-care, about walking in the woods when she gets stressed, and sharing her progress on a step-counting app with her mom’s group of friends. She talked about the benefits of listening to silence, deeply listening, to settle her and keep her grounded. She sounded more like a colleague than a student.
That characteristic has apparently been visible in Victoria for a while now. Ms. Henderson, Victoria’s AP World History teacher, observed that “even as a freshman, Victoria had a great, self-assured conversational style. She made thoughtful contributions to Socratic Seminars and helped draw others into the discussion.” Mr. Maclowry noted that Victoria’s freshman year feels like ages ago, but he remembered that in English class “she was a shining star, bright, intellectually curious, and always willing to engage in class discussions and activities. A true leader.” Victoria stood out from a young age, and her teachers felt the same way I did after meeting her. “It has been a privilege to watch Victoria grow from a freshman in Intro to Engineering to a leader in Building Trades and Engineering Capstone. Beyond her impressive technical aptitude, she is an outstanding individual who consistently leads with kindness and a drive for self-improvement. Working with Victoria has made me a better educator,” said Mr. Feeney.
But alongside her maturity, Victoria also showed the characteristic energy of her age group, and shined with enthusiasm, ambition, and determination. She shared that when she started Intro to Engineering, she was scared because she was brand-new and there were only a few girls in the class. She courageously leaned into what seemed intimidating because engineering and architecture call to her. She wants to be creative in problem solving and found every opportunity she could to spend time in the engineering wing. From Intro to Engineering and Design through our CAD classes, Building Trades, and Engineering Capstone, Victoria became the leader her teachers spied in her younger self. When one of her teachers needs a perfectionist, he says, “Ah! Victoria’s got it!” Victoria told me that her creative energy also fuels her devotion to watercolors and writing and her newfound love of ceramics. She buzzed with the joy and passion that makes spending every day in a building full of teenagers so deeply rewarding.
If you know, you know… and Victoria’s teachers know. Ms. Carpenter definitely does: “Victoria is such a joy and literally has been a highlight of my year this year. She stands out for her love of learning and understanding. She is the type of student that will continue asking questions until she really feels like she understands, and then will go out of her way to help others in the class understand…A good way to explain Victoria is to share this example of her work ethic. She came to my AP Calculus class from precalc and a lot of other students came from precalc compression, where they had some knowledge of our topics already. I think this intimidated her at first, but she didn’t let that stop her. She put in the work and effort to really understand the material. Not only is she performing as one of the best in class, but she really has a deep understanding of Calculus. Her helpful, positive, and bubbly personality all make the class better as well… I feel very lucky to be her Calculus teacher this year.”
On the day we met, Victoria had just learned that she had advanced to the final round of a scholarship competition at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She is one of 12 finalists who will present their portfolios on February 20th, and Victoria has included architecture, engineering, and art projects for review. If they were to ask me, I would tell them that the portfolio represents one of Victoria’s most impressive characteristics: her drive to improve and produce the very best in all of her work. Even as a younger child in art, she showed that drive. She told me, “I couldn’t produce what I saw, so I would keep trying. Every day, every chance I can, I build. I have a drive to produce, to say, ‘I can get better at this.’” She simply does not quit, as evidenced by the brake pieces that she and her partner engineered over and over again, over 20 iterations of designing via the software and 3D printing prototypes and testing and performing very intricate welds to get it right – until they did. Victoria noted that engineering fills her up in a special way, but she is a driven person, overall. Her drive for perfection is evident in her flawless transcript, in the successful welds, in the competitive fire for the High Mileage Vehicle to advance further in the competition than last year’s car. “I want it to be beautiful,” she said. Veronica is driven to make the most of every opportunity, because she knows that she can’t take them for granted.
Mr. Fuentes described that drive in detailing Victoria’s contributions in Engineering Capstone. “It is a rare pleasure to recommend a student who possesses both the precision of an engineer and the vision of an artist. Having served as Victoria’s Engineering Capstone instructor…I have had the unique opportunity to witness this combination firsthand as she approaches the fields of architecture and engineering with a deep respect for both their historical foundations and technical demands. From the first day of the course, Victoria distinguished herself as a primary innovator, specifically through her leadership on our new high-mileage vehicle frame for the 2025–2026 school year. By conducting exhaustive research into the competition rulebook and analyzing the successes and failures of past iterations, she has drastically elevated our entire design process, ensuring that every decision is backed by data and a commitment to excellence…Victoria’s technical contributions this year have been transformative, particularly her strategic redesign of the vehicle’s chassis and aerodynamics. She engineered a larger cockpit to provide the necessary clearance for a rack-and-pinion steering system—a significant mechanical upgrade over previous welded-tubing designs. Furthermore, she pioneered the use of a polycarbonate wrap for the frame to optimize airflow and reduce drag on the track, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of aerodynamics. Victoria is a tireless worker who ensures that every physical cut and weld on her prototype is executed to perfection. She is a reliable collaborator and a brilliant sounding board for new ideas, making her a student I can count on every day of the week to lead our team toward success.”
To close, I just want to highlight that Victoria credits her parents for her drive and sense of purpose, as they lovingly pushed her to do hard things. “They pushed me FOR ME,” she said, distinguishing them from parents who push their children to fulfill some needs of their own. “I love that it’s working out,” she said. “I am loving this payoff for them as well as for me.” So are we, Victoria. Thank you for all your contributions to Maine West, and for showing what it means to be 207’s Best.
IZABELA JOKS, MAINE EAST
I am thrilled to share the awesome accomplishments of Izabela Joks (“Iza”). Iza is an outstanding representative of what this award celebrates: academic excellence, inventive thinking, and leadership that elevates both her peers and our school community.
Across six Applied Technology courses, Iza has consistently demonstrated a rare combination of skill, curiosity, and initiative. She embraces complex challenges and applies her knowledge and skills with care. Just as importantly, she leads with humility and generosity, helping others succeed while setting a standard of excellence in the classroom and lab.
In reflecting on her pathway, Iza shared that her interest in architecture and engineering began at a very young age. As a child, she loved building with Legos and eagerly attended Home Depot workshops, and she credits much of her early hands-on learning to time spent working alongside her family. With a father who is a contractor and an uncle who encouraged her to help with projects around the house, Iza proudly describes herself as the “sideman”. She was always ready to learn, assist, and do the work. Those early experiences translated naturally into her high school coursework. Her courses confirmed what she had always known: that she was meant to pursue a STEM pathway. Along the way, Iza embraced challenges head-on, often finding herself as one of the only girls (and sometimes the only girl) in her classes, including Capstone. Rather than being discouraged, she remained focused on learning, frequently emerging as a leader within her teams. She credits this resilience to the encouragement of her family, particularly her uncle, who taught her never to let gender limit her ambitions and to stay persistent in pursuing her goals.
Iza began her pathway as a freshman in Math 2 in Construction, where she quickly distinguished herself through her ability to learn and safely use hand and power tools, interpret architectural and shop drawings, and apply these skills to increasingly complex carpentry work. By the end of her freshman year, Iza was leading groups of students in building professional-level wall structures that were donated to Habitat for Humanity, making a real and lasting contribution to housing efforts that support families in need. This early experience exemplifies Iza’s strengths: precision, responsibility, and a commitment to using technical skills to create meaningful impact beyond the classroom.
Also during her freshman year, Iza served as the team leader for the ISTC STEM Challenge, guiding her team through the design and development of an innovative app intended to increase access to healthcare and reduce barriers tied to the social determinants of health. The project highlighted the hallmark of innovation which is the ability to connect technology with real-world problems. She showcased her leadership in organizing, motivating, and advancing her team’s work toward a purposeful solution.
During her sophomore year, Iza continued her construction-focused coursework and enrolled in Civil Engineering and Architecture, where her innovative mindset became even more evident. Using Revit, a professional 3D architectural design platform, she quickly mastered the software and produced designs that were both creative and functional, consistently meeting project criteria and constraints while demonstrating strong technical accuracy. As an aspiring architect, Iza approaches design challenges with precision and curiosity.
Our teachers, inside and outside of the applied technology area, also celebrate Iza’s incredible drive as a student.
Ashley Brown, French teacher, shared “I have had the opportunity to teach Iza in my French 3 and French 4 accelerated classes over the past two years. Already a native speaker of English and Polish, it has been inspiring to see Iza dedicate herself to learning a third language. Iza is incredibly driven in her academic pursuits, and always goes out of her way to help her classmates as well. She is an active member in the community serving as a lifeguard at the local pool and teaching Polish dance lessons for younger students at her Polish school. I am very proud of all Iza has accomplished in her time at Maine East!”
Ken Adkins, Autos Teacher, shared “Izabela is a dedicated student who has shown impressive technical skills and leadership in both my Automotive Fundamentals & Service courses. She consistently stepped up to lead her groups through complex tasks, including brake system service, tire repairs & automotive maintenance. Her commitment was evident in her thorough approach to engine rebuilding and her attention to detail in various welding projects. Izabela’s combination of practical skill and cultural dedication makes her a standout student. Her positivity is contagious and she always stops to wave and say “Hi”.
Pauline Sterenberg, Psychology teacher, shared “Izabela is one of the hardest working students I have had. She gives her all no matter the task. She is a leader in our classroom and brings a positive energy with her that is appreciated. She is proud of who she is in a way that displays humility and grace. She engages with all types of students and pushes her classmates to do their best. I have enjoyed having Izabela in AP Psychology. I am excited to see what she does in the future. I know it will be great.”
Alen Ibrahimovic, Counselor, shares “Izabela is an outstanding student and community member. She has consistently pushed herself in terms of academics – both in terms of taking the most rigorous courses that we offer and her performances in those courses. She always sets high expectations for herself and has the skills to follow through on those expectations. She aspires to be an architect in the future and has already been admitted to quite a few architecture programs. Above all, Izabela’s personality is the thing that will stay in my memory.”
Andy Gonzalez, Engineering teacher, shares “Iza is one of the brightest and most hardworking students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching. I had her as a freshman in Intro to Engineering Design, where she excelled at problem-solving, acted as a group leader, and developed technical skills quickly. Throughout her high school career, she has taken several applied technology courses where she continued to grow her skill set. She is now applying those technical skills in my Engineering Design Capstone class as a senior as she works on the fabrication of the Supermileage vehicle for this year. She’s an outstanding leader and has taken the lead on repairing the rear end of last year’s Supermileage car while teaching other students how to solder, run and operate the plasma cutter, and fabricate parts on the ShopBot. Her positivity and the energy she brings to class are contagious.”
Jan Wieczorek, Physics Teacher, shared “Iza is a model student who works hard to become proficient at whatever is thrown at her in class. Physics is a tough subject for everyone, but she doesn’t let setbacks deter her. It brings her joy to solve complex problems and she helps create an environment that helps motivate other students to push themselves to embrace productive struggle. It bothers her when she doesn’t completely understand something, and as a result she seeks out help when necessary. This causes her to elevate the class experience for everyone, and it is a pleasure to be her teacher.”
Iza’s accomplishments reflect the very best of our Applied Technology programs. She is not only talented; she is innovative, community-minded, and collaborative. Her willingness to learn, her confidence with advanced tools and technology, and her commitment to shared success make her an exceptional recipient of the 207’s Best Award!
DANIEL TROYAN, MAINE SOUTH
It is my distinct privilege to introduce Daniel Troyan, our nominee for the District 207 ‘Best for Technology Leader/Innovation’ award. When we look for a student to represent the best of technology and innovation, we look for more than just technical skill—we look for curiosity, collaboration, and the ability to elevate those around them. Daniel embodies all of these traits.
Daniel’s technical aptitude is nothing short of impressive, spanning across multiple complex disciplines. In AP Computer Science, Mr. Guccione describes Daniel as an ‘innovative thinker’ who consistently possessed a level of ‘logic sophistication’ well beyond his years. He noted that Daniel didn’t just solve problems; he strove to ‘find the most efficient and effective path to an elegant solution.’
This excellence extends to the physical sciences as well. Ms. Wagner, his Biotechnical Engineering teacher, notes that Daniel has displayed ‘an equal amount of aptitude in biochemical, chemical, and bioengineering.’ Whether in the classroom or on field trips to manufacturing facilities, he is ‘focused and creative in problem-solving,’ asking the kinds of questions that show he is truly thinking like an engineer.
However, a true technology leader does more than just the work; they innovate. Mr. Schneider, from the Robotics lab, describes Daniel as a ‘natural innovator’ who ‘excelled at solving complex problems with creative, “outside-the-box” solutions.’ He observed that Daniel didn’t just follow instructions—he ‘looked for ways to improve designs and push the boundaries of his projects.’
Perhaps most importantly, Daniel is a leader who lifts his peers. Mr. Allen, his Intro to Engineering Design teacher, emphasizes that Daniel is a student who is ‘dependable and eager to help, often guiding others without seeking recognition.’ He describes Daniel as having a ‘strong social personality—approachable, respectful, and well-liked by his peers.’
Mr. Baysingar echoes this sentiment, recognizing Daniel as a ‘leader in classroom success’ who ‘applies his knowledge with confidence and precision.’
To quote Mr. Schneider once more, Daniel is a student who ‘consistently brightens the room with his intelligence and positive social energy.’
For his commitment to excellence, his maturity, and his genuine desire to help his classmates succeed, we agree with Mr. Allen that Daniel was the ‘natural choice’ for this honor. We are incredibly proud to present Daniel Troyan as the 207 Best for Technology Leader/Innovation
Congratulations, Daniel!