Schools
Whiz Kids: Jaela Evangalista
Each week, Benicia Patch will feature individual kids, teens or youth groups that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about your amazing Whiz Kids.
This week's Benicia Whiz Kid: Jaela Evangelista
Grade: High School Freshman
School: Benicia High
Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Age: 14
Accomplishment: Jaela Evangalista's clothing line jsmirk Apparel is creating a buzz in town. Jaela's official title is VP of Operations and her father Justin is President, but only because Jaela is not old enough to sign legal documents.
Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The idea began when Jaela came upon the ;j emoticon. She thought it would look good on a shirt and mentioned it casually to her dad, a web and graphic designer. She started wearing it her shirt to school and peers began asking about it. Jsmirk has been well received at Benicia High. The phrase is, "Oh, you smirkin' huh?". The "Love ;Japan" design is a tribute and fundraiser to victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami.
“I’ve always appreciated art and have been inspired by my dad,” says Jaela. "I would love to see jsmirk selling in stores like Tilly’s, Zumiez, and Pacific Sun. It has been such a good thing to see people around Benicia wearing our brand.”
Wheels in Motion on is the first retailer to sell jsmirk. Although jsmirk primarily offers logo'd tee shirts, hoodies and caps, Jaela plans to expand to socks, shorts, pants and lanyards.
Jaela wants to bring her business to the next level but is also planning for college in pursuit of a healthcare career. “My mom is an RN and I see the joy and passion she has for her profession and that she makes a difference for someone who is ailing.”
This summer, Jaela is developing an online podcast with friends focusing on life as a teen. “It will be like the TV show The View but with teens." Jaela is also an athlete, playing basketball and soccer.
Key to Jaela's awesomeness: “She doesn't ask me how to do things,” says Jaela's father Justin. “She could easily ask me how Photoshop works. Instead she uses the internet to learn and teach herself. There are times she will ask, but it is rare. When she was younger and she would play restaurant with her little sisters, Kiki and Kaia, she would make these cute menu's in Microsoft Word all by herself. I was impressed back then.”