Whiz Kid: OHS Senior Breaks Language Barriers

This week's Whiz Kid is Clarisse Caliman, a senior at  and a talented linguist. Do you know a great kid? Email sarah.flagg@patch.com.

Name: Clarisse Caliman 

Age: 18 

School: Oakville Senior High School

Year in school: Senior

Accomplishment: Caliman received the AP National Scholars Award and is a member of the French National Honors Society.

Key to Awesomeness: At Oakville High School, Caliman studies French and Spanish and is currently taking an online course in German.

“I enjoy languages and cultural studies. It opens job opportunities to be able to speak to people in their own language,” she said.

Not willing to confine her studies to just one continent, Caliman expanded her course work to Europe. This past summer, Caliman studied French at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. She stayed for two months, which gave her plenty of time to see the local sights. Caliman said train tickets for travel outside of Geneva were very expensive, but the prices for students to tour the city were very reasonable.

“The city government of Geneva provides bicycles to use for free with a $20 deposit that is returned when you turn in the bike. It is a great way to encourage people to ride bikes rather than use cars. There were also local excursions for college students that were only about $10 each,” she said. “I met new friends and we keep in touch by Facebook.”

Caliman is especially fond of her foreign language classes. Reading is one of her favorite pastimes, especially works of fiction. She also stays fit by playing tennis, swimming and learning Tae Kwan Do.

As of now, her plans for college are undecided, not committing to a university or a major yet. Her options are many due to her scholastic achievements, record and awards. One thing is certain, there will be some travel involved in her future.

“I enjoy traveling and like to see different places,” she said.