Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Worrall Artist Joey Reitano

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 third-grade student Joey Reitano of Worrall Elementary School for his recent placement in a local and regional art contest.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Joey Reitano

Whiz Kid's Age: 9

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Joey recently won first place in an art festival hosted by The Women's Club of Newtown Square. He placed first in the contest out of all the schools in the . Most recently, the same artwork won first place in a regional competition in Reading. He was the youngest first-place artist to win the competition. His artwork has moved on since and will compete in the state competition in Harrisburg.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Surprisingly, this was the third-grader's first art contest he has competed in. Although he hasn't had too much experience, he's taken a few art classes here and there.

"I took an art class last summer at the community center," said Joey. "It was fun. And I have art class at school."

Some of his other projects he's made in the past include a painting of a garden and lake and a 3-D artwork of a dragon and horns. This particular painting included a sunny scenery of a city with a museum, school, factory, water tower, apartment building and a parking garage.

Although he admitted he was little frustrated creating the painting because "the paint kept spilling off of the places it needed to be; my red truck kept spilling over to the brown museum" but successfully completed the painting in just about an hour and a half of diligent painting.

Joey said his inspiration really comes from what he sees either earlier that day, week or month. He aspires to be an artist someday but unsure what kind of artist he'd like to be.

"I think I'd want to be an artist someday," said Joey. "I think it's [art] fun. No specific artist right now though."

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.