Whiz Kid’s Name: Olivia Lyon, age 12
Whiz Kid’s School: West Side Middle School, Grade 7
Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: Lyon is a determined athlete and an excellent student. She plays tennis and volleyball, recently won Student of the Month at West Side Middle School, and has volunteered at the Bill Memorial Library for the past four years.
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“I’ve been going to the library since I was like six months old. I love it there, and I love being around little kids,” she says.
Lyon also spends time volunteering at her church as an altar server.
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In her spare time, Lyon enjoys reading. Her favorite series right now is the Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator Series.
Last summer, she also participated in Project Oceanology at Avery Point. Every week, she went out on a boat to study ocean ecology, test the water, and count the number of seals in the area.
“We counted hundreds of them,” she says.
Key to her success: “My parents have always been very supportive of me,” she says.
Lyon has also learned how to manage her time.
“Being organized really helps,” she says.
She keeps a different folder for every subject so nothing gets mixed up, is a diligent note-taker in class, and even saves all her notebooks from previous classes so she can look back and refresh her memory.
She is also determined to do the best she can.
“An A minus isn’t good enough for me. I always try to do better,” says Lyon.
Her determination holds true not just in her schoolwork, but also in outside activities.
"When I first tried tennis, I wasn't so good in the beginning, but I worked really hard and practiced so I could get better," she says.
Best Advice: “I think you have to search for something you’re really passionate about, and once you do everything just comes together,” she says.
After changing schools halfway through sixth grade - switching from Sacred Heart to West Side Middle School - she also has advice for students who are new to a school.
“Always believe in yourself and be confident in what you do,” Lyon says. “If you are, you’ll be more outgoing and make friends more easily.”
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 Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)
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.
