Each week San Marino Patch will name a Whiz Kid of the Week. This can be a kid, teen, sports team, girl scout troop, etc. from San Marino who is amazing in some way.
We are asking for your nominations for Whiz Kid of the Week, so suggest a special San Marino kid, teen or youth group in the comment box below! Read more about nominations .
This week’s Whiz Kid of the Week is Anya Kwan. Anya attended , then —she performed at Carnegie Hall when she was in eighth grade—before attending where she excels in robotics.
- Whiz Kid's Name: Anya Kwan
- Whiz Kid's Age: 15 years old
- Whiz Kid's School: San Marino High School, Sophomore
- Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Anya Kwan is President of San Marino High School’s Firebird Robotics Team. Anya has not only raised money for her Robotics team (almost $7,000 in scholarships--$5,000 from Boeing and $2,000 from private corporations) but participates actively in the arts as a violinist who has taken masters classes and performed in chamber groups at the Pasadena Conservatory.
- Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Anya Kwan lives by the Helen Keller quote: “life is a daring adventure, or nothing.” What makes Anya amazing? It’s the way she strives to not only live life to the fullest, but also to turn every obstacle into an opportunity and every circumstance into a learning experience—she stepped in to take the Robotics Team President job after it was vacated unexpectedly. Her work and life ethic could not better reflect Helen Keller's quote than in how she raised $7,000 for her school's Firebird Robotics Team (total cost is $20,000 and they have only 6 weeks to build it). As president she refused to take the easy way, instead seeking out corporate sponsorship. As a testament to that mentality, not only did she secure a grant from Boeing, but in the process, found mentors. Her tenacity and ambition all play into her desire to live her life, each moment, to its absolute fullest.
Bonus Whiz Kid Info
Favorite Food : Yellow Peaches
Last Book Read for Pleasure : The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff
If she had the power to change one thing and make the word a better place, what would it be?: I would like every child to have the opportunity to learn science and math in a hands-on application of the lessons.
Correction: The original version of this article said the $7,000 came from Boeing. That is incorrect. $5000 came from Boeing and $2000 came from private corporations.
