Whiz Kid of the Week: Mary Elizabeth Alford

Each week San Marino Patch names 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 is Mary Elizabeth Alford. Mary started school at and then moved onto . She has an older sister named Natalie Alford who is an 8th grader who attends . Her mother Anne Alford is a homemaker and her father, Brad Alford, is the CEO of Nestle.

• Whiz Kid's Name: Mary Elizabeth Alford
• Whiz Kid's Age: 10
• Whiz Kid's School:  Fourth grader at Valentine Elementary School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Mary Elizabeth loves to try new things! She recently enjoyed interviewing the author/screenwriter Megan McDonald and the cast of the upcoming movie, Judy Moody's NOT so Bummer Summer at the LA Times Festival of Books at USC on May 1. Jordana Beatty plays Judy Moody, Parris Mosteller plays Stink and Heather Graham plays the fun-loving aunt Opal.
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: The key to Mary Elizabeth’s awesomeness is her willingness to take risks and try new things. Between her love for sports (soccer, softball, golf and tennis), her passion for singing and the lasting friendships that she cultivates and nurtures, Mary Elizabeth is incredibly well-rounded and continues to expand her intellectual, athletic, and cultural horizons.
  What’s more amazing is Mary Elizabeth’s determination, drive, and dedication. Whenever she starts something, she gives it her all. A perfect example of her excellent work ethic is Mary Elizabeth’s participation in an author’s contest offer by LaJaJaKids.com to become a junior journalist of the upcoming summer movie, Judy Moody and the NOT so Bummer Summer.  In just two days, Mary Elizabeth reread all her Judy Moody books and wrote an essay expressing why she felt she should be considered for the opportunity to be a Junior Journalist.
  Sure enough, Mary Elizabeth’s hard work paid off and she was one of the three young journalists selected to interview the author and the cast of the movie. Mary Elizabeth will be writing an article about the interview and an essay on her experience as Junior Journalist where she will walk the red carpet at the movie premiere open nationwide on June 10. After the interview, Mary said she enjoyed her experience and found the author and actors so friendly during the interview and it's like talking to your friends. She learned so many interesting facts about the movie making and wants to learn more...very much looking forward to her first Hollywood red carpet style.

Bonus Whiz Kid Info

Favorite Food: Tacos

Last Book Read for Pleasure: The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin

If you had power to change one thing and make the world a better place, what would that be?: Mary would want nothing more than for the world to stop its senseless warring and to leave in peace.