Patch’s Whiz Kid of the Week: Heather Campbell of Mount Vernon. Heather, who was born and raised in the Mount Vernon community, lives in the area with her family. She is a junior at Mount Vernon High School (MVHS) and has a brother who is a senior at MVHS. Heather is an active member of Girl Scout Troop #849, along with 23 other girls from MVHS and the surrounding area. Recently, Heather earned the Gold Award in Girl Scouting, the highest and most prestigious award a Girl Scout can earn. In fact, according to recent studies, only 5.4 percent of eligible Girl Scouts successfully earn the Gold …

This week’s Whiz Kid is a gifted singer and actress. Jenna is a senior at Mount Vernon High School (MVHS). Upon her start at MVHS, she immediately joined the choir as a freshman. Jenna stood out from the crowd, quickly moving up the ranks to the advanced all-female Mirage singing group. During her sophomore year, she was asked to join the male and female acapella singing group, the Madrigals. “The difficulty factor definitely went up that year, especially from a competition stand point,” said Jenna. “But it has really been an enjoyable experience.” Last spring, Jenna received two Cappies …

Whiz Kid of the Week: Elizabeth Herbst Elizabeth just finished her senior year at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.  She’s headed to the University of Virginia next year, and thanks to a recently awarded scholarship, she has an extra $1000 to contribute to educational expenses. Elizabeth won this year’s Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theater scholarship. The selection committee looked at her grades, her experience with MVCCT and her essay, which focused around the fact that being onstage wasn’t what made her love working in theater. “My brother had been working in …

Whiz Kid of the Week:  Elsa Gehring Elsa is 17 years old and a senior at Mount Vernon High School.  She loves horses and works hard to offset the cost of her riding lessons, but she also brings her love of animals to life with beautiful drawings and moving photography. Elsa started riding when she was eight years old, when she was given a package of lessons as a gift. Right before seventh grade her mom agreed that she could keep up with lessons if she paid for half the cost. Currently, she works at Woodlawn Stables twice a week in exchange for lessons.  “I love the thrill it gives me,” Elsa …

Whiz Kid of the Week: Joseph Drumgold Joseph Drumgold is 18 years old and a senior at Mount Vernon High School.  He may still be in his teens, but he’s wise beyond his years, something the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce recognized when it was time to hand out scholarships. Joseph was one of six area students and the only student at Mount Vernon High School to receive one of the Chamber’s $2,000 scholarships.  Joseph says the money will come in handy in the fall when he begins his freshman year at Hampton University. Joseph had to write an essay to win the scholarship so he focused his on …

Whiz Kids of the Week: Courtney, Brittany and Mykenzie Miller Courtney is 17, Brittany is 13 and youngest sister Mykenzie is eight.  This trio of sisters shares a lot, especially their love of dance. Mykenzie takes two classes a week at Terry’s School of Dance and Gymnastics in Mount Vernon, but big sisters Courtney and Brittany spend between 16 and 20 hours each week honing their craft.  They all participate in competition at the local and state level, but once a year, the Miller family travels to a national competition.  This summer, they’re headed to Myrtle Beach. The girls got started on …

Patch's Whiz Kids of the Week are: Cub Scout Pack 1503 and Girl Scout Troop 657. Approximately 20 boys and their families from Washington Mill Elementary School’s Cub Scout Pack 1503, along with several Brownies from Girl Scout Troop 657, participated in a MVCCA neighborhood cleanup activity at Washington Mill Park earlier this month. The cleanup event not only helped the scouts learn about caring for the environment, but also helps them work toward receiving their “Leave No Trace” Award patch.  “Leave No Trace” is a plan that encourages people to be more concerned about their environment and…

Whiz Kids of the Week: Stephen and Macey Porter Stephen Porter is 12 years-old and his sister Macey is nine.  They’re students at St. Mary’s School in Alexandria, and while they have a lot of personal interests, their hearts are as big as the world around them. Stephen is interested in Legos, reading and acting and Macey is a piano player, singer, swimmer and soccer player.  They love their dog.  They are bright, funny and articulate, but what really sets them apart is their philanthropic spirit. Once a year, the Porter kids host a pancake breakfast with the help of their parents.  They …

Whiz Kid of the Week: Ramon Rivera Ramon Rivera is 15-years-old and is a ninth grader at Mount Vernon High School. He’s a great student and a loyal brother but most notably, Ramon is a burgeoning martial arts phenom. He studies Judo, wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Jujitsu, boxing and the bo staff at Viet Le’s World Karate and Mixed Martial Arts gym. He’s only been attending the Mount Vernon school for a year and a half, but his master instructor says he’s been blown away by Ramon’s skill level and great attitude. “I think he’ll end up being an assistant instructor a year from now,” said …

Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 716 participated in a Japan relief fundraiser at St. Luke's Church earlier this month. Among the Girl Scouts who participated Cynuan Boone, Awa Diallo, Megane Okom, Alagia Stewart and Tanijah Williams.  The Brownies from Troop 922 are:  Imadae Boone, Ouley Diallo and Shanya Williams.  The Girl Scouts helped with the set-up of the event, served food, bused dishes and helped greet guests under the supervision of troop leader Kathy Lehner. The Girl Scouts also helped with the Alice Ferguson Foundation's clean-up of Little Hunting Creek. They collected 40 bags of …

Patch’s Whiz Kid of the Week:  Michael Poussard. Michael is a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and was nominated because of his vertical horizon. Michael received his private pilot’s license on his 17th birthday, which is the earliest a pilot can get his wings. For that day, at the very least, he was the youngest pilot in the Civil Air Patrol. Michael flew out of Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir.  Michael says flying has been his ambition since childhood and he’s stayed focused on his dream ever since. “As long as I can remember I’ve loved flying and it’…

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree.Each week, Mount Vernon Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This is open for every grade level at every school in the Mount Vernon community.We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Mount Vernon Patch editor Jessie…

Patch’s Whiz Kid of the Week: Emily Whitworth Emily is a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School. She started out as Tessie in the Aldersgate Community Theatre production of Annie nearly a decade ago. Since then, Emily has played roles in many productions at theatre companies across the D.C. metro area.  “I knew I wanted to get into an art form,” said Emily. “Acting was the way it manifested itself. Acting was a way to express what was going on when I was younger.” Emily recently played Helena in the Synetic Theatre's teen production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream."  Although her …

Patch’s Whiz Kid of the Week: Meron Gosaye Meron is a junior at Mount Vernon High School. She was elected president of the Northern Virginia region’s Future Business Leaders of America Club (FBLA) on March 9. Meron has been highly involved in the MVHS FBLA Club since her freshman year. She served as its president during the 2010-2011 school year and served as secretary the previous year. She will also maintain her post as State Vice-President of the Northern Virginia Region. Meron is looking forward to her tenure as president of the regional FBLA club, and she has a full agenda in mind. “I …

Patch’s Whiz Kid of the Week: Nick Mason Nick Mason is this week’s Whiz Kid. Nick is a fifth-grader at Riverside Elementary School. Nick was nominated by Moms Council member Lisa Dunn for his enthusiasm for Cub Scouts. He has been an active participant in Pinewood Derby for the last few years. When Nick was asked why he has enjoyed participating in Pinewood Derby, he said, “I have fun doing it because it’s very exciting and it’s fun to make the cars and race them and spray paint them.” He has been a Cub Scout for the last five years and recently started Boy Scouts. His favorite part of …

Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Charlene Belanger Charlene is a senior at Mount Vernon High School who recently signed her official letter of intent to play soccer for American University in Washington, D.C. next year. The first time Charlene kicked a soccer ball, she was five years old. At seventeen, she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I love the competitiveness and relationships you build through soccer,” she said. “It’s really neat.” Charlene has been captain of the varsity soccer team since sophomore year and has won the coaches’ award and Most Valuable Player award. She has played …

Patch’s Whiz Kid of the Week: Eugene Coleman III Eugene is a junior at Mount Vernon High School who was recently elected to the Fairfax County School Board as its new student representative, beginning July 1, 2011.  According to Principal Nardos King, Eugene may be the first student representative from Mount Vernon.  Eugene will participate on the school board as a nonvoting member and plans to help School Board members understand students’ needs and how their decisions will affect students throughout the county. He is especially interested in addressing fees for high school sports and AP and…

Patch’s Whiz Kids of the Week: Eric Myhre and Elizabeth O’Hara Eric and Elizabeth are students at Mount Vernon High School and were nominated by Jane O’Hara.  Eric is a junior and Elizabeth is a senior. Eric and Elizabeth were among five students who were selected to participate in Del. Scott Surovell’s Young Leaders Program. This year, Del. Surovell  (D-44) took over the program, which was started by former Delegate Kris Amundson over a decade ago so high school students would have a chance to learn about legislative and public service careers by shadowing delegates in Richmond. Both …