Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Alexandra Adams

Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week we highlight Alexandra Adams, a Marple Newtown High School sophomore, who recently participated in this year's Delaware County Youth Leadership Academy.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Alex Adams

Whiz Kid's Age: 15

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: High school sophomore Alex recently participated in the 4th Annual Delaware County Youth Leadership Academy at Penn State Brandywine. Alex was one out of 23 students who participated in this year's leadership program. This year, students met Rep. Pat Meehan. At the end of the program, students presented in groups a PowerPoint of what leadership meant. Alex's group won.

The Delaware County Workforce investment Broad, The Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and Youth Council sponsor a Leadership Academy for Delaware County high school sophomores. This program provides an outstanding opportunity for area sophomores to meet and work with local business, government community and media leaders.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Alex has always participated in leadership programs since she was young and shares she love participating in clubs, activities and leadership programs.

"I think I've always been this way," laughs Alex. "I like putting myself out there, joining and participating in things."

According to Alex, her first program/activity she joined was in sixth grade when she learned about the Future Community Leaders of America. And soon started that back up, leading the program her seventh- and eighth-grade year.

"I think leadership programs help you to be a better person in itself and how to be a leader, and you learn to help others," says Alex. "It makes me grow as a person."

Though she's participated and has been involved in a countless number of clubs and leadership programs, some of Alex's current favorites include Interact at the high school, a personal club she started with her friends of exchanging recipes, Delaware County's 4-H Club, and being a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) aide for 's second and third graders.

The reason for her being in so many clubs and programs? "I actually get bored if I'm not involved–of course, I put academics before anything else but I like being up and involved with all this stuff," says Alex.

Although being involved has helped keep her busy, Alex says being involved has "pushed" her to do more. "Not getting involved now is not an option."

And, though, she's a sophomore at the high school Alex believes being involved has helped her grow at the high school. "In the future, I'll still be involved and push myself to do more."

Alex has already thought about her future: "I thought about being a teacher in maybe in a different country. Last year, I traveled to Greece and Italy for People to People Ambassador Program. It was a great experience."

But in the meantime, Alex has her sights on college already and is hoping to apply West Chester University, Neumann University, and Penn State University for their teaching programs.