Whiz Kid of the Week: Ben Guggenheim

Whiz Kid of the Week: Ben Guggenheim

Age: 12, sixth grade

School:

Accomplishment: Guggenheim is one of the 36 finalists (one of three 6th graders) in the nationwide Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest. He participated in the contest through his 6th grade art class taught by Kim Tran, and his entry was reviewed by a panel of judges that narrowed the contestants down to 120, while pop artist Burton Morris whittled down that list to the final 36 entries.

Guggenheim's artwork is posted on the Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest website for public voting, which concludes Monday night at midnight. Only one of three entries in each grade will move on to the next round. If he makes it to the next round, the Mill Valley Middle School Art Program will receive a significant cash prize for art supplies, while Guggenheim also will be honored with a prize. You can vote as often and as many times as you like, but you must vote for one entry in every grade.

Key to Awesomeness: “He’s a straight A student and is always eager to lend a helping had to fellow students or staff,” school counselor Randi Josephson says.

According to Josephson, Guggenheim has always been a talented artist and even loved sketching and drawing as a youngster. Guggenheim enjoys competitive soccer, lacrosse and basketball and volunteers for a local group called “Top Soccer,” working with kids who have special needs and providing them with opportunities to connect with each other and have fun learning a sport. 

Guggenheim has been a member of student council in both elementary school and middle school and is currently a 6th grade governor. He is a member of the schools’ World Affairs council and is on the Robotics team.