Hillsborough Artist Wins Anti Smoking Design Contest

• Whiz Kid's Name: Don Anthony Tyson, Jr.
• Whiz Kid's Grade: 10
• Whiz Kid's School: Hillsborough High School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Though always interested in art, Don Anthony Tyson, Jr. only got into graphic design several months ago—at least seriously, he said.  “I’ve always been doing art, but I just started doing graphic art the past couple months, designing with my laptop and actually trying,” he said.  Even then, he did not expect to win an anti-smoking ad design contest co-sponsored by Ear, Nose Throat and Allergy Associates, LLP and the American Cancer Society.  “I had no idea until my mom told me (high school principal) Ms. (Karen) Bingert called,” he said.  “I kind of spazzed out on the floor.”  His win netted him a $1,000 check for himself and $1,000 for Hillsborough High School.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?): “I just kept playing around with a bunch of stuff until I found something that I thought worked,” he said.  “I have to give credit to my dad for giving me the reaper idea, because he came up with that.”

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree.

Each week, Hillsborough Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to eileen.oldfield@patch.com.