Whiz Kid: Andover Graduate's Essay Is No. 1 Among 40 Submissions

Each week, Bloomfield Patch features students doing amazing things in their schools and in their communities. This week's Whiz Kid won the top scholarship in a regional essay competition.

Rachel Vettese

• Age: 18
• School: (Class of 2011)
• Achievement: An essay by Vettese earned the $2,500 first-place award from among 10 finalists in an annual event for Metro Detroit high school seniors. Forty students entered the scholarship competition sponsored by the local section of the National Council of Jewish Women, based in Southfield. Writers had to describe how their experiences "will help you contribute to the Jewish community."
• Key to awesomeness: "Volunteering has become an essential component of my belief system," wrote the West Bloomfield winner, a June graduate from Andover and the district's Model High program. "I have not only volunteered over 1,000 hours while in high school, but also applied to colleges that place a strong emphasis on community service. I plan to be an active participant in college-sponsored volunteer opportunities and beyond."
  Vettese is heading to Kalamazoo College, "which I chose "because of its strong Judaic studies program," she told Patch. She plans to learn Hebrew and apply for a junior year program in Israel, which the teen hasn't visited. She also hopes to help the Jewish Student Organization expand and become more active.
  In addition to religion, Vettese is interested in science and envisions a career in pathology. Her writing skill reflects a forensics background that began on the debate team at and continued at Andover during her sophomore year. She is a member of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield and participated in its education program for the past four years.
  In the scholarship essay contest, these West Bloomfield seniors each received a $250 honorable mention prizes: Alexandra Gudenau, Emily Schottenfels and Emilie Weiner.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Bloomfield Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Art.Aisner@patch.com. Please include all these details:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• What makes him or her successful