Whiz Kid of the Week: Allison Abrams

Each week San Marino Patch names a Whiz Kid of the Week. This can be a kid, teen, sports team, Girl Scout troop, etc. from San Marino who is amazing in some way.

We are asking for your nominations for Whiz Kid of the Week, so suggest a special San Marino kid, teen or youth group in the comment box below! Read more about nominations .

This week's Whiz Kid is Allison Abrams. Allison currently attends . Her mother Amanda is a stay at home mom and her father Dave is the President and CEO of Passport Food Group, Inc. She has an older brother Daniel, who is an 8th grader at . Find out what makes her a Whiz Kid!

An English poet by the name of Lord Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) once said, “manners are not idle, but the fruit of loyal nature and of noble mind”. In a world of removed emotions, of fast-paced relationships, it’s refreshing to see a young soul contrast that way of life so completely. At first glance, Allison may seem like any other little girl, but as you speak to her, admire the social grace with which she carries herself, and listen to the way she holds together the phrases of her every sentence, you will soon realize that beneath her energetic “can-do” spirit is a compassionate heart, a genuine caring character, and a comforting aura. Truly, the way Allison handles herself, whether between peers or adults, teachers or fellow students, friends or strangers, radiates a self-confidence and her well manner seems like second nature that reminds us that life is more than achievement, grades, or report cards. Allison stands as a reminder to the fact that life is about how we live and how we approach not only the world, but the many people who call it home.  

• Whiz Kid's Name: Allison Abrams
• Whiz Kid's Age: 11
• Whiz Kid's School: Valentine Elementary School
• Whiz Kids Accomplishment: Allison is a very talented artist, a solid student and a great friend to many.
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: A lot can be said about how we approach life, more so how we approach other people. For a culture that is often times shy, afraid of stepping outside our comfort zones, it’s refreshing to see someone who flies in the face of that notion. Allison is very polite and is comfortable as she is savvy in engaging with adults as well as her peers. The key to her awesomeness is not just limited to her success in trying new things, but also her willingness to dive into different cultures. For someone as young as Allison, it’s certainly a surprise to see an individual willing to display her self-confidence and take risks in meeting other people and branching out. Allison’s “can-do” spirit along wiht her sweet smile will certainly serve her in the long run as she continues to mature. Whether it’s going above and beyond to help out her teachers or fellow students, to even strangers in need, Allison’s happy personality, caring heart, kind soul, and engaging mind, are all small pieces of what makes this young lady so awesome.

Bonus Whiz Kid Info

Favorite Food: Cheesburgers

Last Book Read for Pleasure: Islands of the Black Moon

If you had power to change one thing and make the world a better place, what would that be?: For everyone to be nice to each other. Treat people as you would like to be treated.

Closing Thoughts: As parents, we must remember to prioritize our efforts in which strong character building must come before academic performance. Throughout the years, we see so many bright children with outstanding academic report cards, but if they lack the proper social skills, they risk the possibility of being limited in their future achievements. Remember a quote shared by a dear friend Anne Lam , "Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot".