Whiz Kid: Language Scholar Charlie Bates

Whiz Kids is a weekly feature in which Patch profiles an outstanding youngster or youth group. This week's Whiz Kid is Charlie Bates, who is awesome because he's taking his love of languages to the next level.

Whiz Kid: Charlie Bates

Age: 17

School: St. Peter's Prep, 12th Grade

Hoboken resident and St. Peter's Prep senior Charlie Bates is heading to Villanova University in the fall, where he is considering studying Spanish and economics. But he's able to look back at the first 17 years of his life as a busy and exciting time.

Before he moves to college he will attain his Eagle Scout certificate, the highest level. To complete his final project he recently organized a blood drive with the Red Cross at St. Francis Church. He handled calling the Red Cross, promoting the blood drive and managing a team of younger scouts to greet donors at the door.

He started his scouting career as a cub scout in 2005. “I joined and I liked it,” he says. Charlie says he has found value in learning life skills like how to cook.

He's gone on several backpacking and camping trips to nearby Harriman State Park. He remembers his very first expedition. “It was really tough. I had a pack almost as big as I was,” he says.

Charlie has parlayed his love of hiking into running both indoor and outdoor track in high school, particularly the one and two mile races. He has trained for five to six days a week. “It's pretty much the best thing I've ever done,” he says.

He is musically inclined too, having played the piano since age seven. His favorite composers are Scott Joplin and Frederick Chopin.

Charlie says he wants to study languages in college, an interest he has developed from studying Latin. “It showed me how language works,” he said about learning the ancient and influential dialect. “I find translation really interesting. It gives me insight into other cultures.”

Do you know a Whiz Kid, or even a whole group of them? Send any and all nominations to alanskontra@hotmail.com, and check back every Wednesday afternoon to read about some outstanding youngsters in your community.