Whiz Kids of the Week: The KIPP Trio Strikes Back

This is the first installment of Patch's new weekly Whiz Kid feature. Each week, we'll feature an outstanding local young person or group. If you have someone you'd like to nominate, send an email to editor Sonja Sharp at sonja.sharp@patch.com. Please follow the format below and include a high resolution photograph of your nominee.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

• Name: Jessica Peregrina, Ilian Meza and Oluwasegun Agbeti-Nalls 
• Grade/School: 11th grade,
• Accomplishment: Asked President Obama an important question—and got a nationally broadcast answer! 
• Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness: Civic engagement and major stage presence.

Back in January, we reported on three: a hard-hitting YouTube video that grabbed the attention of none other than President Barack Obama, . 

But, typically, Jessica Peregrina, Ilian Meza and Oluwasegun Agbeti-Nalls weren't saticefied with merely really awesome. A few days ago, they posted a follow-up to the president's response, posing another question on education as hard-hitting as the first. 

Patch sat down with the trio to ask them about their recent brush with civic greatness. 

What gave you the idea to submit a video to the President?

Jessica: Mr. (Kellan) McNulty mentioned it during AP U.S. History. He said, why don't you guys come after school and make a video. But it was during finals—I came and I was the only one there. I went out looking for Ilian, and Mr. McNulty went looking for Olu. 

In the first video, you talk about educational disparities and the president's 2008 speech on race. Was it your first exposure to those topics?

Ilian: I think that's something we're pretty much used to hearing about here. We don't only focus on race, but also socio-economics. But we do focus on what being a minority means (in education). 

Olu: I feel it's a question President Obama needs to address. 

How did you find out your question had been picked by the president? What was your reaction?

Mr. McNulty: I found out at about 10:30, and I tried to call each of them at home. 

Jessica: I found out in the morning. It was so surprising. It just shows how close our community is. 

Ilian: I thought, oh yeah, we're going to win. But when they actually told us, I didn't believe it. I actually got to ask the president a question.

Were you satisfied with the answer?

Olu: I thought the answer was good. One of the things he mentioned was that we should revere teachers more—in other countries, they're called nation-builders.

Jessica: I wish he would have been more specific. 

Ilian: I didn't feel satisfied with it. I really wanted him to be more specific. Actually, doing the question made me think about it even more. I feel a bit disappointed.