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Whiz Kid: Athlete, Boy Scout, Leader Tyler H. Spitzer

Each week, San Marino Patch highlights an individual kid, youth group, teen or sports team that wows us with their accomplishments. See who we chose this week and suggest a kid or group of kids you know for Whiz Kid of the Week.

This week's Whiz Kid is Tyler H. Spitzer, a student with a boatload of talent and plenty of spirit to back it up. Between demonstrating exemplary leadership skills and balancing his athletic inclinations, Tyler is a kid with lots to look forward to as he continues his high school career.

Whiz Kid's Name: Tyler H. Spitzer

Whiz Kid's Age: 14 years old

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Whiz Kid's School: San Marino High School, Freshman

Whiz Kid's Accomplishments:

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Tyler was nominated by his teacher to be a World Leader for People-to-People. He traveled to Washington D.C. in the spring of 2009 as a student ambassador to a World Leadership Conference and graduated from "Super Gold."

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:

In the spirit of this coming weekend, I found it fitting to reflect on the past year and a half of Whiz Kid articles briefly before I delve into this week's Whiz Kid. Every week, we come together as a community and acknowledge the accomplishments that continue to exemplify the nourishing environment that fosters our youth to excel. But excellence is more than just a natural talent, but a passion that derives its fuel from the multi-faceted nature that defines San Marino.  

It is the passion of our children that drives them to push their comfort zones. It is the passion of the mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and friends and relatives that supports the youth of our time to seek constant self-improvement.

How fitting that this week's Whiz Kid epitomizes this very same passion. Tyler--son, brother, leader, athlete, and Boy Scout--continually reminds me why our community is so amazing. As an athlete, Tyler has played baseball since he was a 5-year-old in Kindergarten in the . He's played club baseball and was already an All Star by age 9. He's been on two District Championship teams (2009 and 2011) and has worked closely with his parents who support him as coach and administrator, respectively. Tyler is currently enjoying full-contact football as a freshman and was awarded MVP for Defense.

Tyler's other passion is scouting. He's been in the Scouts since 1st grade as a Cub Scout and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 355 in 5th grade. Tyler currently holds the rank of Life and is working towards beginning his Eagle Scout project as he starts the arduous journey that all scouts begin, but only two to four percent ever achieve. Just this past summer, Tyler embarked on a two-week backpacking trip with his father to Philmont, New Mexico with nothing but the packs on his back and two pairs of fresh clothes. As a mother of two Eagle Scouts myself let me tell you, after two-weeks of not showering, it's best to burn the clothes than try to salvage them.

Tyler's motto is to always put family first, school second, and then everything else after. The family motto is “Spitzers do not quit.” He comes from a very close knit family and besides his numerous activities, is an avid reader.

Tyler is considering his profession in the field of orthopaedic surgery (specifically sports medicine based on his own experience from all the sport injuries that sparked his interest). 

Family

Tyler's parents are Mark (Partner at Bingham, McCutchen LLP) and Helen (a retired attorney, now full-time mom and volunteer) Spitzer. He also has a younger brother Grant (11), a 5th grader, and little sister Madison (8) a 2nd grader; both attend . 

The family also has a labrador/Doberman named Ruby plus a cat called Saturn.

Bonus Questions:

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food

What is the last book you read for pleasure?

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

If you had the power to change the world to make it a better place, what would it be?

Tyler would seek to raise awareness on global hunger as "there is no reason that anyone should be hungry when so many countries have the ability to produce an abundance of food."

Cherishing Our Children

Our children are the seeds of the future. It is by teaching them compassion, morals and philanthropy that we can assure that the world is a better place than the way we left it. As family, parents, friends and educators, investing in our children is our way of securing our future. Because it’s more than just teaching them the right lessons, it’s about living those lessons. Remember to give your children many hugs and kisses and let them know you LOVE them!

Wishes you and yours a very happy Mother's Day.

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