Whiz Kid: Alexis O'Brien

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Alexis O’Brien           

Whiz Kid’s Age: 13

Whiz Kid’s Grade: Eighth           

Whiz Kid’s School: Galloway Township Middle School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Alexis O’Brien is a pitcher on the Galloway Township Babe Ruth team that recently won the District 4 championship and will be playing for a state title in Egg Harbor Township next weekend.

Whiz Kid’s Keys to Awesomeness:

Alexis O’Brien is a big sister, a Girl Scout and an artist, but her true passion is playing softball.

O’Brien is the pitcher on the Galloway Storm, a Babe Ruth 14-and-under softball team that recently won the District 4 championship and will be playing for the state title next weekend in Egg Harbor Township.

O’Brien is also a first baseman and a third baseman on the team.

“Being part of a championship team means a lot to me,” O’Brien said. “Our team is like a family. We have all been playing together for a while now and it’s exciting to have gotten this far.”

In the spring, O’Brien was a member of the Galloway Township Middle School softball team that nearly didn’t get a chance to play this season because of budget cuts. The parents rallied together to perform fundraisers to ensure the season would be played as scheduled, and the team won the Cape-Atlantic League championship.

When O’Brien isn’t winning championships on the field, though, she is donating her time. She is a member of Girl Scout Troop 13065, and she recently earned her Silver Award, the highest recognition a cadette can receive. She worked with four other girls to create a handicap-accessible greenhouse with custom built gardening carts for Betty Bacharach Rehabilitation.

She also helped develop monthly entertainment for the center. She participates in monthly beach and road clean ups, and is currently at Galloway Community Services Summer Camp. She volunteers as a camp buddy for 5- and 6-year-olds.

“Volunteering is important to me. It makes me feel like a better all-around person,” O’Brien said. “I like to get involved and support the community. I love helping and doing work with summer camp and my troop projects. I make it fun all at the same time.”

O’Brien is an A and B student who enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, watching scary movies, and listening to all types of music.

She also counts art among her passions, particularly drawing and sketching.

“I have three full folders of my drawings,” O’Brien said. “I would have to say my favorite sketch is of my dog, Kobe, who passed away three years ago.”

Editor’s Note:

Although the school year is over, there are still plenty of Whiz Kids out there waiting to be recognized. Little leaguers, travel teams, summer camps, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, students who were overlooked during the school year and those making general contributions to the community are all potential Whiz Kids.

Send recommendations to Anthony.Bellano@patch.com.