Thursday, May 10, 2012
This week's Whiz Kid participates as a little sister in the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and walked in Sunday's Walk for Hunger.
Name: Millianette “Millie” Age: 12 School: Day Middle School Accomplishment: On Sun., May 7, Millianette participated in the annual Walk for Hunger. She and her Big Sister Sara Sinicropi-Yao have raised donations to help alleviate local hunger. Although this is her first walk, her enthusiasm and dedication shine through. In addition, Millie and her Big Sister Sara Sinicropi-Yao, also a Newton resident, recently celebrated their one year anniversary together with the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. Key to Awesomeness: Her passion to help others. In June she hopes to participate in another benefit walk. Note: Millie's last name was not provided for this profile. Nomination information provided by Millie's Big Sister Sara …
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Today's Whiz Kid has organized a fashion event that will raise money for the Franciscan Hospital for Children.
Name: Valerie Herman Age: 15 School: Gann Academy (lives in Newton) Accomplishment: Valerie has spearheaded a fashion show fundraiser for Franciscan Hospital for Children with her best friend Maddie Pontin. “We both love music and wanted to organize a fun event that would let people know about the incredible benefits of the hospital’s music therapy program," Valerie said. "When we went to visit the program we immediately saw the impact that music had on the children. No matter their age or why they were hospitalized they all came together as a community and really enjoyed participating." Valerie explained that she reached out to 15 friends and asked them to help out with this fundraising event at Bloomingdales, which will include a …
Thursday, April 12, 2012
This week's Whiz Kid is the 2012 Youth of the Year at the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club of Newton.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Estey Silva
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Thursday, April 12, 2012
Name: Taylor Arcuri Age: 16 School: Newton North High School Accomplishment: Taylor was chosen to be the 2012 Youth of the Year at the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club of Newton, which is the highest honor a member can receive. She will now compete against other Boys and Girls Club members for the State Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship. If she wins, she will go on to the regional, then national competitions. Key to Awesomeness: Taylor is an incredibly hard-working teen. She was nominated by the staff of the club for the Youth of the Year competition last year, and came very close to winning. When she was nominated again this year, and she didn’t let last year’s loss discourage her—instead, she asked what she needed…
42.354555
-71.212568
John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton
675 Watertown St, Newton, MA
/articles/whiz-kid-youth-of-the-year
1734800
/locations/6783037
Thursday, April 5, 2012
This week’s Whiz Kid is a talented violinist.
Name: Melanie Snider Age: 17 School: The Rivers School (Melanie is a Newton resident) Accomplishment: Violinist Melanie Snider had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Rivers Symphony Orchestra at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston this February. Melanie, who performed Antonin Dvorak's Romance at the concert, said the solo opportunity was “absolutely incredible.” “All the preparation, all the intense practicing - everything culminated in a performance that went better than I could have hoped,” Melanie said. “The adrenaline rush I felt on stage and hearing myself play a piece I love, Dvorak's Romance, in a place with such incredible acoustics are the reasons I play and love the violin.” Melanie is part of the …
Thursday, March 29, 2012
This week’s Whiz Kid is a determined marathoner.
Name: Manny Lopez Age: 17 School: Newton North High School Accomplishment: Manny is currently preparing to participate in his third consecutive year running a marathon. This year, his goal is to complete the Cox Sports Marathon in Providence on Sunday, May 6, in under four hours. He is the Captain of the Newton North Dreamfar High School Marathon Team and his dream is to participate in the Boston Marathon someday. Key to Awesomeness: Determination, discipline, kindness, and an easy-going attitude at school and practice make Manny a successful athlete and team leader. His key to success is that he doesn't let any obstacles get in the way of achieving his goals. He faces all challenges with determination and hard work. Nomination …
42.345624
-71.206003
Newton North High School
457 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/whiz-kid-local-athlete-competes-in-3rd-marathon-in-3-years
1714273
/locations/6680029
Thursday, March 22, 2012
This week’s Whiz Kid balances his time playing gigs and learning how to live and help people in the wilderness.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Estey Silva
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Name: Sam Mayer Age: 16 School: Newton North High School Accomplishment: Sam is passionate about music and the outdoors. Sam’s band, Levity (band mate Cole Brightbill was also featured as a Whiz Kid), is now in the studio recording its first album. Although he's just 16, Sam plays the drums and guitar, is in six different ensembles, and writes and performs his own music at open mic nights around Boston. Sam has also participated in a 30-day National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) trip. NOLS is an organization that takes kids on challenging trips so they learn leadership and wilderness skills. Sam is now focusing on learning more about managing medical emergencies in the remote wilderness. This summer he’ll be taking an intensive …
42.345624
-71.206003
Newton North High School
457 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/whiz-kid-music-and-medicine-motivate-this-memorable-student
1714273
/locations/6639100
Thursday, March 15, 2012
This week’s Whiz Kids are helping Newton students expand their horizons.
Names: Social Synergy group at Newton North Ages: Ages in the group range from 15-17 School: Newton North High School Accomplishment: Social Synergy is a small non-profit organization in the entrepreneurship class at Newton North High School. Social Synergy is working in collaboration with the Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) to promote the 2012 Global Leadership Education Dinner, which will be held Sat., March24 at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 440. The funds donated at this event will be used for international travel scholarships for students within the Newton community. GELF provides full and partial scholarships for students’ families that don’t have the financial means to participate in international travel. Those who …
42.36497
-71.20067
American Legion Post 440
295 California St, Newton, MA
/articles/whiz-kids-students-fundraiser-for-international-travel-is-this-friday
1961776
/locations/6592598
42.345624
-71.206003
Newton North High School
457 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/whiz-kids-students-fundraiser-for-international-travel-is-this-friday
1714273
/locations/6592599
Thursday, March 8, 2012
This week’s Whiz Kids donated over 100 cans of food to the Newton Centre Street Food Pantry.
Names: The teachers’ names are Jillian Bullens, Jane Safar, and Stacey Colarusso. Editor's note: For privacy reasons, the teachers at Jams Preschool did not wish to include the names of the 24 students who participated in the drive. Ages: 1.9 years to 4-years old School: Jams Preschool Accomplishment: Throughout the month of February, the theme at Jams Preschool was kindness, caring, and sharing. In the spirit of the theme, and with both Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl happening in February, the school decided to hold a food drive called “Souper Caring.” Everyone’s goal was for the group to collect 100 cans of food to donate to the Newton Food Pantry. The teachers spoke with the students about neighborliness, friendship, and giving to …
42.325969
-71.23182
Jams Preschool
1671 Beacon St, Waban, MA
/articles/whiz-kids-a-preschool-holds-a-successful-souper-caring-food-drive
2059037
/locations/6540789
Thursday, March 1, 2012
This week's Whiz Kid is a young athlete who has made a difference on her playoff-bound team.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Estey Silva
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Thursday, March 1, 2012
Name: Infiniti Thomas-Waheed Age: 15 School: Newton North High School Accomplishment: Infiniti is a great success on the basketball court. As a player for the Newton North girls' varsity basketball team, she averages 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. With her hard work, she has helped her team qualify for the post-season playoffs, which started Wednesday night (Feb. 29). Key to Awesomeness: Infiniti constantly pushes herself to improve. She's a committed team-player, she's extremely motivated, and her strong desire to win helps her dominate on the court. Nomination information provided by Linda Martindale. Editor's note: The Newton North girls' basketball team made the South Div. 1 Tournament and played their first playoff game last …
42.345624
-71.206003
Newton North High School
457 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/whiz-kid-a-dedicated-basketball-star
1714273
/locations/6485936
Thursday, February 23, 2012
This week's Whiz Kid is a dedicated gymnast who has learned quite a bit in just three years of training.
Name: Nadia Salie Age: 12 School: Brown Middle School Accomplishment: Three years ago, Nadia began taking gymnastics classes at Rhythmic Dreams in West Newton (with no prior gymnastics experience). Under the guidance of coaches Smaranda Moisescu and Ionela Majeri, she has learned a ton. Now, she's a Level Seven gymnast. Nadia's aunt Rahma was a dedicated gymnast in an International School Team when Nadia's family lived in Tokyo. Nadia's father Afkham vividly remembers the joy of watching his sister Rahma perform at gymnastics competitions. Nadia tragically lost her beloved aunt in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Fortunately, the gymnastics talent was passed down to Nadia. In addition to her natural talent, the Rhythmic Dreams …
42.30916
-71.1907
Brown Middle School
125 Meadowbrook Rd, Newton Center, MA
/articles/whiz-kid-rhythmic-gymnast-thrives-in-memory-of-her-aunt
766383
/locations/6433842
Diane Newark
3:02 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
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