Schools

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Joann Klein

Marple Newtown Patch highlights Marple Newtown High School junior band historian Joann Klein.

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 high school junior Joann Klein, of Marple Newtown, who was a recipient of Widener University's high school leadership award.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Joann Klein

Whiz Kid's Age: 17

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Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: In partnership with WCAU-TV NBC10 and Widener University, Joann was among the 69 high school students awarded throughout the Philadelphia region for the Widener University High School Leadership Awards. She was the only one from Marple Newtown High School to receive The program recognizes young, local leaders for outstanding civic contributions to the community. Joann was awarded for persevering the high school band's history as its historian.

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Joann and the other Widener University high school leadership award recipients were recognized at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in February. Joann received a $20,000 scholarship towards college tuition if she were to choose to attend Widener University this fall.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: As the high school's band historian, Joann wears several different hats from taking pictures at band events to making a collage of the past year's band events during for their annual jazz dinner.

"I try to help throughout the year. I'm dedicated," said Joann about taking on all the different hats that the position calls for.

Joann, who has been playing the clarinet since fifth grade, said she began playing after she moved from New Jersey to the Marple Newtown School District and noticed her peers all playing instruments.

"I had some friends who also played instruments and everyone in elementary school started to play an instrument," said Joann, who continued to stick it out throughout the years with about 30 other peers in her grade.

"It's just fun to play. It's also a stress reliever too," shared Joann about playing the clarinet.

When she reached high school, Joann knew she found her second home with the band.

"My freshman year, the seniors were really upbeat and that motivated me. My section leader was really encouraging and I wanted to be like them," said Joann. "It's hard to explain but we all just go through the same things. Even when you're not the best of friends or you don't really know some people, in the end we just did all these things together since freshman year and we're kind of like a family."

Despite practicing four hours straight or practicing in 90 degrees in the hot summer months, Joann keeps a motto with her she was first taught from the upperclassmen: "The journey is the reward" and adds, "It's just worth it in the end when we're at champs [championships]...that's always a memorable time. But you have to try hard in the beginning or you'll regret it at champs."

As an upperclassman now, Joann said her personal goal is also to be "upbeat" and to help "pull through" just as the seniors taught her when she first joined. "I'm excited to lead next year but I'm a little scared. I want to try to motivate the younger kids because they'll also be leading someday."

Some things she's looking forward to her senior year: playing in a new auditorium, having the high school completely finished with construction, band camp, football games, and, of course, champs.

Though she's not sure whether or not she'll be attending Widener after graduation, Joann knows she's looking to a fairly big school with a good band or music program, and, of course, having a good football team would be a plus.

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. Send nominations to jennifer.kim@patch.com.


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