Whiz Kid’s Name: Chris Gunning, age 17
Whiz Kid’s School: , Grade 12
Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: Gunning is an all-around athlete and student leader. Throughout high school, he has participated in the lacrosse, track, swimming, and soccer teams. This year, he stepped into a leadership role as the captain of both the swimming and soccer teams. Gunning enjoys the challenge of competition and staying in shape.
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“Swimming is the hardest sport I’ve ever done. It requires more dedication than I’ve ever had to give in a sport,” he says.
During swim season, the team practiced every weekday, with regular weight lifting and swimming sessions, in addition to grueling Saturday morning practices.
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Gunning is also a leader outside of school. He recently earned Eagle Scout after completing a project to refurbish a storage room at the historic Avery-Copp House.
“It just made sense to do my project there. It’s a local place, and I think it’s important to know about the history of where you live,” he says.
He says he considers it a great honor to have earned it because, “only one percent of kids who start Boy Scouts manage to make it to Eagle Scout.”
He also became a member of the Future Business Leaders of America last month. After attending a Leadership Conference recently, he and his project partner placed second out of 15 teams in their category, earning a place at the national competition in June.
Gunning is looking forward to a career in business.
“I love that the business world is fast-paced and always changing,” he says.
His newest business venture is a T-shirt company called “Grotesque Apparel.” He and his business partner are working on T-shirts for the Fitch High School Staff vs. Student Charity Basketball Game, which will be held at 7 p.m. on April 8 in the Fitch High School gymnasium. A portion of the proceeds from the T-shirt sale will be donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief in Japan.
Key to his success: Gunning is grateful for the people who have helped him excel in sports and clubs, including his swim coach Ken Berg, the scout masters for Troop 17 G, and his business teachers at Fitch High School.
He says his family is supportive, and he believes his strong connection to his mother’s Peruvian heritage played a key role in his development.
“Visiting there when I was younger really helped me growing up because it introduced me to a new culture and different daily routines and ways of thinking,” Gunning says.
Best Advice: Gunning’s advice for up-and-coming seniors at Fitch High School is to network.
“Make connections with everyone you possibly can,” he says.
He also believes in being a strong advocate for one’s goals.
“You have to push for what you want to happen, because nobody else is going to push for you,” says Gunning.
Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout, or helped your local soccer team take the championship?
Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to deborah.straszheim@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:
● Nominator's Name
● Nominator's e-mail
● Whiz Kid's Name
● Whiz Kid's Age
● Whiz Kid's School
● Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
● Whiz Kid's Key to Success
If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail deborah.straszheim@patch.com.
