Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

Name: Austin Smagalski, 17

School: Senior at Petaluma High School

Accomplishment: 4.17 GPA, varsity wrestling, community volunteer and one of the founders of Petaluma Teens for Teens, a group that raises money for Challenge Day, an annual anti-bullying event local schools participate in.

Key to Awesomeness: “Austin is a young man who cares about his community,” says John Milburn, project director at which has launched many initiates for Petaluma teens. “And he takes action, which is rare, especially with young people.”

For example, during a recent meeting of Teens for Teens to discuss social media presence, at one point Austin took out his computer and said 'OK, let’s do it,' Milburn recalls. “He was ready to move from just talking about it to action…He’s definitely someone who is going to be a mover and shaker in our community.”

In November, Austin became an Eagle Scout, a recognition he wears with pride. And this Thursday,  he will be a student leader during Petaluma High School’s annual Challenge Day, an event created to improve communication between different school students and prevent bullying.

“It’s a very emotional experience,” Austin says. “People form cliques and groups that divide us. Through Challenge day, people connect a lot better and you see those dividers melt away.”