Whiz Kid of the Week - Anushka Kulkarni

Anushka Kulkarni, Age 13

Schools: Eighth-grader at Horner Junior High School in Fremont and Young Genius Bay Area Speech and Debate Academy in Saratoga.

Accomplishments:

· Undefeated in Lincoln Douglas debate at the Peter Burnett Middle School Spring Invitational Debate Tournament, May 22nd, 2016. She also received Director's Award for outstanding display of personal character

· Received the highest rank ‘Superior’ in impromptu speech at Burnett Winter Warm-Up Speech Tournament, December 2015

· Won Silver Presidential Academic Award 2016 for outstanding academic achievement at Horner Junior High School

· Received certificate for outstanding achievement in Science at Horner Junior High School

· Three times Odyssey of the Mind regional competition winner, qualified for states competition

· Won Best Effort award in sixth grade at Warm Springs Elementary School

· Taking honors classes and on the honor roll at Horner Junior High School

· Yearbook Editor for JEAN-C-Winning Yearbook at Horner Junior High School

Key to Awesomeness:

Anushka started her speech and debate career in the seventh-grade. It was her first exposure to speech and debate when she joined the Young Genius Speech and Debate Program.

Though, Burnett Spring Invitational was the first Lincoln Douglas debate Anushka participated, she won all four rounds! She was undefeated and received the director’s award too.

She also received highest rank in her Impromptu Speech competition.

Anushka is also a passionate reader. She has participated in multiple Bollywood dance performances. She was awarded Megaskills Certificates for Integrity, Teamwork, Trust and Caring. Also, she is passionate about education, and received the Presidential Silver Award for her grades.

Young Genius teacher Daisy Koch says: "It became apparent as the class went on that Anushka was very bright and thought quickly on her feet. She regularly provided positive challenge to the other students, and it was a pleasure to have her. I have no doubt that she'll continue to do well in tournaments."