Young Actress Also Plays Music, Sports

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Ereka Lin, 7 (turning 8 Sept. 16),

Accomplishment: This Washington Township resident, who will be a third-grader in September, is an actress who has appeared in three short films and a national Verizon ad campaign. One of the short films was featured at the Columbia University Film Festival in April and another, "Aftershock," was screened as part of the Asian American International Film Festival at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas Aug. 12. Ereka attended the screening. Click here to see her acting reel.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Ereka is not only involved in acting. She is a musician who plays violin and piano. She also sings and has had two years of musical theater experience. In addition to her involvement in the arts, Ereka participates in athletics -- gymnastics, tennis, skiing, soccer and basketball. She also loves hula-hooping. Ereka is strong academically and is a member of the Gifted Child Society. She is also a Brownie in the Girl Scout program.

Q&A with Ereka:

1. How did you get involved in acting and ad campaigns? When did you start? What do you like about doing it?
   I got involved in acting when I was 3. My brother and I took theater classes at the Applause Performing Arts Center. We did Applause for about a year or two. I stopped when I was 5 and started going on auditions. I had fun modeling for Verizon and then a video before my first short film "Aftershock." I have loved acting ever since. Later when I was about 6 I got into another short film called "The Noodle Maker." I played one of the main characters, a girl named Theresa. Her family owned a noodle shop. Then I was in a ghost story. I played young Rita. She is a Chinese girl just like me but poor. My favorite part about acting is you get to pretend and that you can act out different feelings.
   
   
2. Music is a big part of your life with violin, piano and voice lessons. Do you have a favorite type of musical involvement?
   I play the piano and violin. I also take singing lessons. I have been playing piano for about two and a half years. I like playing piano because I like pressing down the keys and reading the notes. I also like to play the violin! I love using the bow and putting my fingers on the strings. It took me a while to get used to it but I was able to get my fingers to do it. I love all of them but I like piano a bit more because I have more experience with it.
   
   
3. What is your favorite athletic activity and why?
   My favorite activity is gymnastics. I like it because you can swing on bars, climb ropes, learn jumps on trampoline and much more! I go to gymnastics every Friday with my friends. I also play basketball, tennis and soccer. I love to play soccer because my mom played when she was in high school.
   
   
4. You do well in school in addition to all the extracurricular activities you're involved with. How do you manage your time successfully?
   To manage my time I just do my best and let luck be with me. My mom and dad support me a lot; so do my brother, grandmas and grandpas. They all treat me fairly and well. I want to thank them for everything I have and get to do. I also try not to waste time. Some kids talk in class and don’t get their work done. Also, it is very important to be respectful.
   
   
5. What do you want to do when you grow up?
   I am not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I am still 7 so I still have not made up my mind. I might want to be a skin doctor like my grandpa or a teacher or a dentist. I guess this will be a mystery that will not be solved until it is time for me to get a good job.