Whiz Kid of the Week: Noah Kennedy

Whiz Kid’s Name: Noah Kennedy, age 10

Whiz Kid’s School: S.B. Butler Elementary School, Grade 4

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: Kennedy founded and edits his school newspaper, which he distributes during lunch for 25-cent donations. Kennedy donates the proceeds to Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that works to end hunger and poverty worldwide by providing families with livestock.

“I’ve raised about $30 thus far with the newspaper, and about $50 in other donations,” Kennedy says.

Kennedy chose to donate the proceeds to Heifer International after asking for suggestions from his parents.

“There were a lot of good charities to choose from, but we decided on Heifer International because we knew it was guaranteed the money would get to who needed it the most,” he says.

The newspaper was over a year in the making, and began with a suggestion by one of his teachers.

“I helped with all the technology in class and my teacher knew how much I liked writing and typing on the computer,” he says. “So she told me it would be a great idea to start a newspaper.”

Finally, this year, the idea became a reality.

The inaugural issue of The Butler Bugle was distributed last week at his elementary school. The stories are written by S.B. Butler’s fourth-grade students, and distributed by Kennedy and his friends during lunchtime. Kennedy has even volunteered to forgo his recess in order to extend the distribution to a second lunch group.

The newspaper will be published biweekly.

Kennedy’s favorite part of the newspaper is the quotation he includes in each issue.

“I always like giving people something to think about,” says Kennedy.

Key to his success: Kennedy says he owes a lot of his success to his peers, who help distribute the paper and write articles for each issue.

“My classmates have been really helpful with the newspaper,” he says.

Kennedy also has a supportive family. His dad helps him put together the layout of the newspaper each week, and his younger sister Fiona, 8, made a poster to help advertise the newspaper at school.

Best Advice: Kennedy says he’s learned a lot about the newspaper business already. His advice to other kids starting newspapers at their schools?

“Pick a platform or style that not only you like, but that your classmates will like as well. And make sure you set a deadline so you get your stories on time,” he says.

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.