Schools
'Empathetic' Downers Grove Student Earns Yale Bassett Award
Downers Grove South High School student Carly Zubrzycki was honored for her efforts to "make the world a better place," one teacher said.

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Downers Grove South student Carly Zubrzycki's efforts to "make the world a better place" recently earned her the Yale Bassett Award for Community Engagement. The award, via Yale’s Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration (RITM), was given to just 20 students who were chosen from among more than 1,000 applicants.
“I am incredibly proud of Carly for earning this distinction from such a prestigious university,” Downers Grove South social studies teacher Laura Rodey said in a news release.
Rodey added, “Carly is a passionate, empathetic and curious student who advocates for her beliefs and works to make the world a better place.”
Find out what's happening in Downers Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Yale Bassett Award winners are chosen for their leadership, public service and experience with social issues that include race. As a recipient, Carly will be invited to the university's campus for an honorary event.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.