Whiz Kid of the Week: Kyle Cunningham

junior Kyle Cunningham was only a first grader when planes struck the World Trade Center and Pentagon, but the day's horror - and it's lessons - have always stuck with him.

Ten years later, Cunningham became the creative mind behind a school memorial to the attacks, in which he suspended ten American flags - representing each year since the attacks – from the ceiling in the school lobby. 

“I need to be sure that people remember what happened on that tragic day,” he said in a statement provided by the school.

“We need to understand the disaster so that this will not happen again! This was a real event, with real people and real heartache – it is not a page in a history book from long ago, but a sad day that occurred and changed our lives forever.”

One of the flags, provided by Congressman Ed Markey's office, was once flown over rubble of Ground Zero.

The display also features a poster created by graphic designer Carolyn Taylor - Kyle's aunt - which memorializes the attacks. 

"Kyle is a...remarkable young man of whom we are quite proud," admissions assistant Marie Mattera said.

Do you know a Malden "Whiz Kid?" Drop us a line at Chris.Caesar@patch.com or (781) 606-4139 and let us know!