Whiz Kid: Braden Woods, 17
School: Downers Grove North High School
Accomplishment: Great role model
Find out what's happening in Downers Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Key to Awesomeness: Braden Woods is the epitome of an all-round good kid and great role model to his fellow students at North High School. Students who participate in the district’s Snowball program testify that their lives have been changed for the better. Snowball is an extracurricular retreat for students, designed to develop character, teamwork and leadership. Braden, who has been a Snowball student leader since his junior year, was a director for the program earlier this year. He also is a peer mediator at North and a peer juror for the Downers Grove Township.
Braden hopes to pursue a career in marketing and advertising. He is an intern at the Downers Grove Township, a member of North’s DECA student marketing organization, a participant in the DuPage Student Area Leadership Conference, and marketing director for the newly formed Youth Community Foundation. Braden also is a member of the school’s volleyball team.
Find out what's happening in Downers Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Braden likes to give back to his community “because I’ve been given so many opportunities through my community to succeed,” he said. “I love helping people and I enjoy knowing that I helped someone even if it’s minor, because it’s made their day better.”
Braden said that he is living the ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug) Free Lifestyle, while keeping up with his studies and trying to be the “best person and friend” that he can be.
“I do what I can to be a strong leader, make good choices and hope that people follow my example," he said.
