Neighbor News
Whiz Kid of the Week - Haritha Kumar
an "independent thinker, and one of the most gifted young speakers I've ever had the honor of having as a student," so school teacher Lemak.
Haritha Kumar, Age 14, 8th Grader, Lawson Middle School
Accomplishments so far:
1st place in ‘Management Decision Making’ at Future Business Leaders of America Pseudo-Bay Sections, 2016
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1st place in Public Speaking at Future Business Leaders of America Pseudo-Bay Sections, 2015 and 2016
Silver Key Award from Scholastic National Art and Writing Contest, 2016
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1st place in Impromptu Speech at the Stanford National Invitational Tournament, 2016
Finalist in Original Oratory Speech at the Stanford National Invitational Tournament, 2016
2nd place in Impromptu Speech at Harker Middle School Tournament, 2016
3rd place in Original Oratory Speech at Harker Middle School Tournament, 2016
Quarterfinalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate at Harker Middle School Tournament, 2015
1st place in Impromptu Speech at Santa Clara University Dempsey Cronin Invitational Tournament, 2015
Semifinalist in Original Oratory Speech at Santa Clara University Dempsey Cronin Invitational Tournament, 2015
1st place in ‘Marketing’ at Future Business Leaders of America Pseudo-Bay Sections, 2015
Top Ten of Nation’s 7-9 graders in the Spring 2015 Celebrating Art Contest
Top 25% of the Nation’s 7-9 graders in Celebrating Art Fall 2015 Contest
3rd place in Lucretia Van Horn Memorial Art Contest, 2015
1st place in California for Loma Prieta Women’s Club Art Contest, 2015
Artwork for San Jose District Attorney’s “Justice For All” art contest on human trafficking featured on article in San Francisco US China Press, 2015
Artwork featured on front cover of Celebrating Art Book, 2015
Top Ten of Nation’s 4-6 graders in Spring 2014 Celebrating Art Contest
Featured artist on Celebrating Art Blog, 2014
3rd place in Geography Bee, Eaton Elementary, 2014
3rd place in Geography Bee, Eaton Elementary, 2013
1st place in Geography Bee, Eaton Elementary, 2012
Also holds:
President of Future Business Leaders of America Club at Lawson Middle School
Member of National Junior Honor Society
Comments on Haritha from her art teacher, Mr. Armando, YoungAtArt School:
I consider her one of my stars in my advanced portfolio class. She is a rising talent and she never hesitates to take on challenges that expand her artistic talents and experiences. I feel very fortunate to have Haritha in my class and to personally witness her development in becoming an accomplished artist.
Comments on Haritha from her School teacher, Mr. Lemak, Lawson Middle School:
Haritha Kumar is a creative, independent thinker, and one of the most gifted young speakers I've ever had the honor of having as a student. She has the ability to engage her audience and keep them interested in her presentations through content organization, voice modulation, eye contact, and body language. She is a natural born leader.