Whiz Kids: 8th Grade Boys Basketball Team Whiz Kids' School: Cross Evangelical Lutheran School Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: The team placed third Sunday in the 65th Annual Lutheran Basketball Association of Americas Tournament of Champions. The national tournament took place at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Thanks to a partnership with Rosati's Pizza, each Whiz Kid receives a free 12-in thin-crust cheese pizza redeemable at the Yorkville or Sandwich locations. A Whiz Kid is innovative, caring, creative, smart, responsible, savvy, interested, determined, strong, trustworthy, respectful or …

Whiz Kids: Jori Stewart, Cassie Nicholson, Sara Swartwout, Chad Castilla, Dylan Mann, and Sarah Ann O'Malley. Whiz Kids' School: Yorkville Middle School Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: Mary Anne Ryan, the Pet Food Distribution Coordinator for the Kendall County Food Pantry, and student council members had a pet food drive Saturday at Oswego's Petco location. Here's what Ryan had to say about the students' project: The YMS Student Council Members, whose sponsor is Faculty Member Jeff Young,  collected both pet food purchased by Petco customers and monetary donations.  The members intend to hold a …

Whiz Kids: Karen Miller's kindergarteners Whiz Kid's School: Cross Evangelical Lutheran School Whiz Kids Accomplishment: The kindergarteners in Karen Miller's classroom, as she explained it, decided they didn't really need to get each other gifts because they would be getting presents from Santa, mom and dad, aunts and uncles and grandparents. So, they collected socks and other items for Kendall County Public Action to Deliver Shelter instead. Ron and Debbie Greenleaf, of Anytime Fitness in Yorkville, picked up the items Friday. Anytime Fitness was hosting its own sock drive at the gym. "…

This is a special Whiz Kid, because I don't really know who the kid is. Rita Feltes, youth services director at the Yorkville Public Library, called me a few weeks ago to tell me that something wonderful and unusual had happened. She was talking with a little boy named Frankie at the library, and he showed her his new frog toy. Just making conversation, Feltes asked the boy (maybe he was preschool-aged?) where he got it. She mentioned she thought her granddaughter might like something similar. Then, the little boy's dad asked him to give it to her. "The little boy didn’t even bat an eyelash…

Welcome to Whiz Kids' Academic All-star Edition. We're taking this time to recognize students, nominated by teachers and family, who are consistent academic achievers. They even get a special shout-out from Yorkville Mayor Gary Golinski.   Eddie SandorJunior Yorkville High School Nominated by Derek Miller: Eddie has been taking advanced computer classes since the summer before his sophomore year and has been working on a number of computer projects since then. He took AP Computer Science during his sophomore year and created a number of projects including a chess game and a cross country app …

To read about these four special students, read this article.

Whiz Kid's Name: Molly Osman Whiz Kid's School: Cross Evangelical Lutheran School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Molly, who is in Alyssa Bocek's second-grade class, won the Ag in the Classroom Fall on the Farm drawing contest for Kendall County. More than 250 children countywide drew fall- and harvest-themed pictures, but Molly learned last week that she won. Before the winner was announced, students gathered in the school's small chapel. "They showed a picture, and it was mine," Molly remembered. Her picture is going to be featured on placemats the Farm Bureau uses at events. Whiz Kid's Key to …

Whiz Kid's Name: Ilir Emini, 17 Whiz Kid's School: Yorkville High School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: "He has a never give up attitude and is determined to achieve his goals in life," his mom, Lumie, wrote when she nominated him. "He was the Class President freshman through junior year, a member of the football and basketball team, a Boy Scout, and a Student Ambassador, and recently was recognized with an Academic All Conference award.  He is also a certified Illinois Soccer Referee for kids in his age group and younger.  Despite all his commitments, Ilir maintains stellar grades reigning in …

Whiz Kids' Names:  Cody Hornyak, Erin Reynolds, Gianna Salzbrunn, Julia Schultz, Rebecca Jasutis, Maddie Dearborn, Nicole Doles, and Julia Megazzini. Whiz Kids' School: Yorkville Middle School Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: The girls cross country team finished 10th out of 30 teams at the state meet in Normal on Oct. 15. Cody Hornyak, who represented the boys team, ran a 2-mile time of 11:14 to place 42nd out of more than 250 runners. Particularly Noteworthy: The girls team "became the first sports team in YMS history to finish in the top 10 at the state level," Coach Derek Miller wrote in a news…

Whiz Kids' Names: Ms. Barb Pinnow's class includes Samantha Bollinger, Taylor Christian, Ryan Conner, Maggie Dervis, Cameron English, Erena Greaves, Alex Houtz, Mary Huinker, Brooke Kala, Noah Klossing, Caleb Kok, Julia Lietz, Ethan Matichak, Owen McGavern, Anabella Nuzzo, Landon Purdue, Taylor Rice, Ava Rittgers, Kalene Schalhamer, Mia Schwarz, Logan Spiess, Katelyn Stritzel, David Swenson, Grace Watson, and Madisyn Willman. Whiz Kids' School: Cross Evangelical Lutheran School Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: The class took a field trip to Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, where they packed …

Whiz Kid’s Name/Age: Josh Shank, 12 Whiz Kid’s School: Yorkville Middle School Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Josh loves to build things with electronics, Legos, Erector sets and similar projects, but he recently built something with a bit more kick - a potato cannon. Painted red, white and blue (with 50 stars at the base) the cannon launches a potato well into the cornfield behind his backyard. "I was surprised that he figured out the math for it and built it," said his mom, Jill Shank. Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: Josh keeps trying new things that interest him. The seventh grader recently …

Whiz Kid’s Name/Age: Faith Frieders, 9 Whiz Kid’s School: Yorkville Intermediate School Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Faith is the mastermind behind the upcoming Run 4 Ronald fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald Family Room that is being built at Edward Hospital. Faith’s aunt Tonya successfully battled leukemia when she was little, so the Ronald McDonald House holds a special place in the family’s heart. “My parents were in the hospital a lot,” Faith’s mom, Tracy, said. “And the Ronald McDonald House was a saving grace for them.” Faith’s family has encouraged her to support charities, from …

Whiz Kids' Names: The Yorkville Middle School eighth-grade volleyball team — Jordan Albarran, Bri Barnes, Katie Busby, Erica Cyko, Ashley Deichmueeler, Abby Guddendorf, Susan Haskins, Madison Konencny, Brooke Mispagel, Jessie Payne, Sam Pierce, Madison Riebe, Mackenzie Seeman, Bailey Shimp, Amber Yelenosky, Alexis Anderson and Emily Wilson. Whiz Kids' School: Yorkville Middle School Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: Dedication to their sport and team. These Lady Foxes captured third place at the 26th annual Sandwich volleyball tournament Sept. 17, and as of Sept. 19, had a record of 10-3. Whiz Kid's…

Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Jared Mol, 11 Whiz Kid's School:  Yorkville Intermediate School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Exploring an interest in farming while taking accelerated classes, playing football with his friends and skateboarding. Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Did you know farmers have to mow the grass between their fields? And they have to be careful to apply products to their corn in just the right order or they risk ruining the whole crop? Did you know that sweet corn doesn't grow as tall as field corn? Jen Slepicka of Yorkville didn't know these things, but learned all about them from …

Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Renee Farren, 14 Whiz Kid's School:  Yorkville Middle School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Race Car Driver At the tender age of 6, Renee started racing go carts after watching her cousin race.  “It looked fun!” she said. Renee’s parents bought the first go cart for her little sister, but she was too young to race.  Renee took over the cart and the adoration for racing eventually lead her into the stock car arena.    “If I'm not at some kind of race at least once a weekend then it bothers me," she said. "Because I really want to be there to watch or help and hang out with …

Whiz Kids: Hannah Oldman’s second-grade class Whiz Kids' School:  Yorkville Grade School Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness:  Being generous to those in need. Soon after the tragic earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, the staff at YGS decided they wanted to help the children who had lost so much.  The teachers encouraged their students to donate any amount of money to the Save The Children's Japan fund.  All the teachers shared with students something unique about the Japanese culture, such as the number system, origami, and haiku. Oldman’s class watched a video of a tea ceremony.  The whole …

Whiz Kids' Names/Ages: Olivia Wilson, 9; Savanna Farren, 10; Emily Eberhart, 10; Ashley Konen, 10; Livy Dearborn, 10, and Bella Zeman,10  Whiz Kids' School:  Grande Reserve Elementary School Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: These six girls are published poets. Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness:    April is National Poetry Month, and Yorkville has in its midst six freshly published poets.  Olivia, Savanna, Emily, Ashley, Livy and Bella are all fourth grade students in Mr. Tworek’s class. As Livy told me, “we chose to” enter an original poem in the National Schools Project.  According to the project …

Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Cleary Armstrong, 11 Whiz Kid's School:  Autumn Creek Elementary School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Learning the art of the equine. Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: With only 5 months of riding lessons under her saddle, Cleary is already demonstrating a natural affinity for horse riding. “Learning how to hold the reins and position myself was hard, but after two weeks I got a lot better,” she says. Her trainer, Roberto, says she is like “Gumby” because she is very flexible. He also noticed her focus has improved since she first began taking instruction with him at Font Farm…

Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Alex Juriga, 14 Whiz Kid's School:  St. Rita’s Aurora Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Bee Keeper It isn’t every day you meet a bee keeper or one as young and passionate as Alex. Four years ago, Alex began learning the art of bee keeping from his father, Stephen. Working and learning together, they have built up to six hives with about 50,000 to 100,000 bees per hive.  Alex keeps four beehives in Yorkville on an organic farm or apiary (also known as a bee yard).  Last season he harvested about 50 pounds of honey and donated half of it to the Kendall County Food Pantry.  “I am …

Whiz Kids' names/ages: Megan Hott, Ben Schafermeyer, Michal Treadway, Jake Bivens; all 11. Whiz Kids' school:  Grand Reserve Elementary School Whiz Kids' accomplishment: Read all Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award nominations Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness:  Every year the books nominated for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award are displayed in school libraries across the state.  Students are encouraged to read at least three books from the list of 20 nominees and vote for their favorite. This week’s Whiz Kids all agree that reading is a fun hobby and all four have read all of…