Whiz Kid of the Week: Jenna Emerson

Whiz Kid’s Name: Jenna Emerson

Whiz Kid’s School: Fitch High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: 

Jenna Emerson is a talented and focused athlete who was recently awarded a large basketball scholarship to attend Mount Saint Mary college in Newburgh, N.Y.

Emerson started playing basketball at age 8 and was soon playing the sport year-round. At still a young age, she was invited to participate on a number of Amateur Athletic Union basketball teams. Emerson continued playing the sport through high school.

In addition to playing basketball, Emerson landed on her high school’s volleyball team during her freshman and sophomore years. She threw shot put, disc, and javelin on the school’s track team later on in her high school career.

“I needed something to do in the spring,” Emerson said. “I wasn’t a big fan of tennis and I never played softball before.”

Though Emerson is an athlete, she doesn’t know what the future will bring and isn’t sure a career in sports is in the stars.

“I like basketball more than any other sport. I like how fast paced it is, how you’re constantly moving. I always had a talent for it,” she said. “[But] I’m not the best in the country. So, after college I will be onto a career in something else. I could stay around sports, but I’m not a crazy sports fan. I just love to play.”

Emerson is spending her summer as a camp counselor and intends to pursue her general education courses through the fall, with interest in psychology and physical therapy.

Key to her success: 

“I always did a lot of work,” she said. “I played basketball all year round for seven or eight years and got really good.”

Best Advice: 

“Talent can only take you so far,” she said. “Hard work will take you a lot farther in sports.”

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout, or helped your local soccer team take the championship?

Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Jessica.hilo@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

●      Nominator's Name

●      Nominator's e-mail

●      Whiz Kid's Name

●      Whiz Kid's Age

●      Whiz Kid's School

●      Whiz Kid's Accomplishment

●      Whiz Kid's Key to Success

 If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail Jessica.hilo@patch.com.