Whiz Kid: Rising Senior Excels in Academics and Sports

Name: Tommy Antonino

Age/Grade: 17, Rising Senior

School: Riverwood International Charter School 

Accomplishment: Tommy is a student in Riverwood's International Baccalaureate Program and was selected to participate in the Future Business Leaders of America’s National Conference.

Key to Awesomeness:

Giving his best to all that he participates in has led to a litany of accomplishments. Tommy competed in the Future Business Leaders of America's state conference and qualified for the national competition, which will be held in Orlando, Fla., later this month. He is one of six students who will be representing Georgia in the Business Management and Decision Making division.

As a member of the National Honor Society, he earned the Outstanding Student in IB Economics award and the Most Dedicated Spanish Student honor this year, as well as the Outstanding Business Student award last year.

An avid sportsman, Tommy plays soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and squash competitively, receiving the Riverwood Varsity Soccer Team’s 2011 Coach’s Award and was named next year’s Captain of the school’s Ultimate Frisbee Club.

“I always strive to be the best person I can be, and in this, always push myself the hardest I can," he said.

Tommy started playing squash about a year and a half ago. “Squash is an amazing game and it actually, per hour, burns more calories than any other sport. Unfortunately, squash is not yet popular in the United States and thus flies under the radar for most students, and young people especially," he said.

"This past year, I have played in squash tournaments and have traveled to Virginia and Boston to play," he continued.

[Click here to see a 2007 New York Times story on the rise in popularity of squash among teenagers interested in Ivy League schools.]

When not in school or playing sports, Tommy is often playing guitar or writing songs. He also enjoys golf and basketball, and volunteers at his Synagogue, tutoring third graders in religious school every Sunday morning.

“I do not think I can truthfully specify my favorite activity, but I can say that each activity is truly a commitment in itself, and one of which I whole-heartily enjoy and love doing," Tommy said.