Whiz Kid: Evan Simon Works to Rebuild Detroit

• Grade: 12th
• School: 
• Achievement: Evan, 16, recently completed a weeklong course at the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, VA, which is dedicated to teaching the United States Constitution.
  
  Evan earned a scholarship from the Ford Motor Company to go based on the recommendation of a teacher. He was joined by 60 other students from around the country in learning from constitutional scholars at Marymount University, touring Mount Vernon, and the U.S. Capitol.
  
  The significant context of learning about the Constitution during an election year, in which thousands of candidates for office around the country, media outlets, and ordinary people quote the law of the land in debates.
  
  "It was very hectic. There were a lot of tourists there and there was a lot of individuals from Obama and Romney's sides who were trying to get their point across," said Evan, who hopes to one day serve as Mayor of Detroit.
  
  "I loved getting to know other students and their political views. It was fun bonding with them."
  
  Evan's mother, Jacalyn Simon, of West Bloomfield, points out that Evan has always appreciated Detroit and other big cities. "I'm not sure where he gets it from. He's just always supported the city — when it was down through today — and he's working to build it back up," she said.

• What's next: Evan hopes to study political science at Michigan State University, but in the meantime, he's focused on studies and volunteering in Detroit through BBYO, Baldwin Soup Kitchen, and J-Serve Detroit. 

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

West 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 Tim.Rath@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