Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Najah Majors

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 Episcopal Academy junior Najah Majors for receiving the 2011 Widener University High School Leadership Award.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Najah Majors

Whiz Kid's Age: 16

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Episcopal Academy’s Najah Majors, of Chester, is the recipient of a 2011 Widener University High School Leadership Award. Najah is one of 69 juniors from regional high schools selected to receive this award in its inaugural year.

To be considered for the award, the student must have consistent academic excellence, be a positive influence at school, demonstrate achievement in sports and/or extracurricular activities, show a commitment to community service, and be a genuine model of student leadership. In addition, the nominees must compose a 1,000 words maximum essay on one of three topics. This year’s winners were recognized at a special breakfast in February at the National Constitution Center.

According to Widener University’s Web site, this award recognizes “high-achieving juniors from regional high schools who have demonstrated academic excellence and character traits that mark them as potential leaders and future citizens of character.”

Schools in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey can nominate one high school junior for the awards program. As part of the award, the selected students receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years if they choose to enroll at Widener as an undergraduate.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: "I never received an award like this before. I was surprised I actually won," says Najah about receiving the leadership award. "I ran outside and called my mom and she said she was so proud of me and took me out to dinner–my mom is like the backbone throughout the whole process. I look to my mom for support."

According to Najah, the essay question of the scholarship was what defined her as a leader. Najah's answer in a nutshell: "My own personal view of what a leader is–a leader is someone who is not the loudest person but who listens to other people's ideas."

Though she's not sure where she'll attend college just yet–although Widener is the obvious contender–Najah says she's looking to pursue a career as an attorney and study political science, psychology or English (which is her favorite subject), which she believes was her calling at a young age.

"Since I was about 5 years old, my grandmother said she thought I could be a lawyer because I could talk my way out of situations," laughs Najah. "I think I'm pretty competitive and argumentative."

Besides focusing on her studies, Najah has tried her hand in basketball and track this year. 

"I was never really a sports kind of person. But I'm glad I joined. Basketball was great–it was hard and the other girls were already prepared for the sport but I like it a lot. I'll maybe stick with track and stick with the 100 meters and long jump."

In addition, Najah has been cheerleading from the ages 5 to 14 and still helps out in the Chester League Cheerleading with the young girls.

"I was always loud, so my mom signed me up," says Najah about joining the local squad at a young age.

With Episcopal, Najah participates in various clubs as well as in the admissions office. The secret to juggling everything? "It's time management–EA teaches you how to know what you can and can't do, so you're not overwhelmed."

Najah, who transferred to EA after receiving a scholarship to attend the school during her high school years, admits it was difficult in the beginning but soon began to find herself at the school.

"When I first came here, I came from a public school and it was a big transition. But the teachers are very supportive, I have a lot of friends here and I know I'm getting a great education here," says Najah.

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.