Whiz Kid: Fort Lee's Aaron Landis

Whiz Kid Aaron Landis, 15, and his parents had Father’s Day brunch at the Plaza Diner in Fort Lee. There, his father, Roy Landis, and Aaron traded laughs and pictures of a deer roaming in his yard in Cresskill.

But the gift that Roy received consisted of more than humor or Aaron spending priceless moments with his father. It was Aaron himself that both Carol and Roy were blessed to have.

This week’s Whiz Kid did not hit a grand slam in a little league game, nor did he discover a breakthrough in the human genome. But he cherishes a title that all the past Whiz Kids and other children alike have come to embody: Aaron is a fighter.

"He is so hardworking at what he does, and good things come out of it," his mother Carol said. 

Aaron also has many interests, including skateboarding with fellow Whiz Kid Silvester “Doogie” Eduardo.

“I enjoy the Fort Lee Skateboard Park and also finding places in New York City,” Aaron said. “Skating has made me more independent and determined. I’m not at the level of Doogie, but I admire him.”

Aside from taking pictures of the deer in his father’s yard, Aaron is a wildlife enthusiast, keeping both curiosity and compassion in mind when observing his surroundings. 

“I will always appreciate being in nature, whether it be skating or enjoying wildlife,” he said. “I also remember tree climbing at School 2 with Doogie, our legs separated by two different trees while we competed for the height. He’s still on top but I’m learning about everything as I go.”

The Whiz Kid is also applying to foster kittens or puppies at the Bergen County Animal Shelter, hoping to stay both productive and charitable over the summer.   

Though he's modest about his skills, Aaron is also a writer, writing stories for fun.

He said that when his mother read his homework in third grade, she was full of tears, not from sadness, but pride in her son's writing skills.

"I am not sure if writing is something I will do in the long term, but I know my family and friends have enjoyed what I write,” Aaron said.  "I’ve been told I have a way with words.”

Although looking to work with organizations and activities like skating over the summer, Aaron feels an anchor on his back weighing him down. 

The Whiz Kid even said he didn’t feel privileged to be named "Whiz Kid of the Week," however qualified he is as an active local resident and human being. 

“School was never easy for me, in fact, this Whiz Kid is not really me,” he said.  “I have always had to work hard to make it and then some. I search within for the motivation to try, and I know I’m smart, but showing it has not been easy.” 

Aaron applied to be a summer camp counselor in Fort Lee but was not accepted.  And according to his mother, he developed a mentality that he would always land in second place. 

However, through thick and thin and arduous years of trials, Aaron has proven he is a fighter battling for his goals. Whether learning skateboard tricks, planning to sing in next year’s Fort Lee High School chorus or writing out of sheer pleasure, Aaron has demonstrated he is not a follower, but a leader when it comes to himself. 

The deer Aaron captured with his camera is indicative of his intuitive nature. 

“I don’t take a lot of pictures, but I acted quickly because it was unusual for a deer to be at my Dad’s house,” he said. “I guess it was a Father’s Day gift of nature.”