Whiz Kid: Madisyn DeFranco and Zachary Murphy

Name: Madisyn DeFranco, 5th Grade, and Zachary Murphy, 6th Grade

School: DeFranco attends Paddock Elementary and Murphy attends Hunting Ridge Elementary

Accomplishment: DeFranco and Murphy have been accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador Program, an educational travel program founded by President Eisenhower. DeFranco and Murphy submitted letters of recommendation and successfully completed an interview process.

Key to Awesomeness: DeFranco and Murphy will explore Australia for 15 days in July 2011 as members of the Chicago area delegation. As student ambassadors, they will represent our community and country on their journey. Both students were nominated to attend by teachers at their schools. While in Australia, they will take part in a variety of activities: community service, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef with marine biologists, touring the Sydney Opera House, attending an Australian school for a day, visiting a working farm and more.

Congratulations on your success!

Do you know a local “whiz kid?” We seek suggestions from readers of a local child or teen who has done something amazing.  It can be an individual child or teen, youth group, or even a team that has achieved something of merit.  Palatine Patch wants to hear about these amazing children and teens and will feature one each Wednesday who has achieved something we think you should know about as our Patch Whiz Kid of the Week. Submit your nomination in the comment box below or email the information to brian.slupski@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator’s Name
• Nominator’s email
• Whiz Kid’s Name
• Whiz Kid’s Age
• Whiz Kid’s School
• Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment
• Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness

If your nominee is selected, we will contact you and request a photo.  Questions? Email brian.slupski@patch.com.