Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Brigid Gliwa

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 eighth grader Brigid Gliwa of St. Pius X School for her academic achievements.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Brigid Gliwa

Whiz Kid's Age: 13

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Brigid's academic success has already been turning the heads of high school admissions offices–she's received a number of academic scholarships for high school next year. But the biggest scholarship she's received has been for the Country Day School of Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr with a scholarship total of $9,500. Brigid has proudly accepted the scholarship and will be attending Sacred Heart next fall.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: "I was so nervous," recalled Brigid about taking the exams to qualify for a scholarship. "We all had to take the test and the scholarship was based off the test and grade seven's turnover scores."

Brigid, who is excited to attend the all-girls school at Sacred Heart next year, said, "I'm looking forward to a new atmosphere because it's going to be all girls and having more independent work and all the activities."

Though she can't wait to attend the school next year, Brigid admits she'll miss St. Pius X where she has been attending since preschool. And considering none of her friends will be joining her at Sacred Heart for high school, leaving St. Pius X is bittersweet.

"I'll really miss the teachers and my friends. I'll miss them the most," shared Brigid.

Brigid said she wanted to continue her Catholic education through high school because she likes "being able to have a Catholic education as well as great academic programs and good athletics."

With the recent scare of several Blue Ribbon schools closing in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Brigid said she wasn't too worried about next year and which Catholic school she would attend.

"The only school that applied to that was closing was [Archbishop] Carroll," said Brigid. "But I wasn't really planning on going there. I already knew I wanted to go to a private school and the Archdiocese can't close them. So I wasn't that nervous about that."

Brigid has always had a knack for academics. One of her earliest memories of her cracking the books and working hard in her academics occurred in the fourth grade.

"I've always liked it," said Brigid about studying. "In fourth grade I would just go home and get my homework done before doing anything else."

If she isn't studying, Brigid can be found playing field hockey, basketball, track, or actively participating in the school's Pro-Life Club–she recently marched in Washington, DC, in support of pro-life.

Brigid's favorite subject to study is math and shared she hoped to become a marine biologist someday. One of the major reasons why Brigid chose to attend Sacred Heart next year was their marine biology program, where students can transfer to a sister school down in Florida for two months to study in the program.

Though she admits it can be hard and "stressful" juggling everything and trying to succeed in her academics, Brigid said she always tries to remember what she's trying to achieve and what she's working towards.

"Just do your best in everything" is a motto Brigid's grown up with.

"If I ever do bad or mess up, my family always asks, 'Did you do your best?' And I say, 'Yes.' Then that's all you can do. I always like to succeed but they help me lighten up," said Brigid.

Editor's note: 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. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.