Whiz Kid of the Week: Doctor-in-Training Angelica Rivera

Whiz Kids is a weekly feature in which Patch profiles an outstanding youngster or youth group. This week's Whiz Kid is Angelica Rivera, who is awesome because she's made the most of her opportunities in school.

Whiz Kid: Angelica Rivera

Age: 18

School: Hoboken High School, 12th grade

Hoboken High School senior Angelica Rivera plans to be a doctor, specifically an obstetrician. She's already gotten a lot of experience in the medical field by working as an emergency medical technician outside of school. She has ridden on ambulance calls and assisted patients.

The calls are exciting and instructive for a future doctor. “They give me a personal approach,” she says.

Angelica has been accepted to the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, where she will study biochemistry. She had been accepted to several other schools, but decided on Saint Elizabeth after taking a tour.

“I had a chemistry with the campus,” she says.

While she waits to attend college, Angelica is still making the most of her opportunities in high school. She recently performed in the school play, Hairspray, and continues to help choreograph dance routines for kids at the Boys & Girls Club. For her volunteer work there, Angelica was recently awarded the 2011 Youth of the Year Award at the annual .

She's also an athlete, including playing a star role on the school volleyball team. She previously ran track and now serves as a coach's assistant.

Angelica maintains excellent grades. Her favorite subjects are math and science, and she's a member of her school's national baccalaureate chapter. She is currently enrolled in college preparatory classes. If she does well on the final exams she'll earn credits even before she steps onto campus.

Even with all that, Angelica finds time to also serve as a member of the Hoboken High Hispanic Culture Club.

She knows she's busy (“school is basically my life,” she says) but her work has literally paid dividends. Saint Elizabeth has awarded her an academic scholarship to help her pay for school.

“I'm excited,” she says about moving onto college. “It's a new chapter in my life.”

But she won't forget her roots. Angelica has two younger brothers, and wants her success to serve as an example.

“Hopefully I'll be an inspiration to them,” she says.

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.