Meet this Week's Whiz Kids: The Musical Maestros of Mentor High

• Whiz Kids' Names: Livi Jones, Kevin Lehtinen and Eric Yanosich
• Whiz Kids' Schools: Livi, Kevin and Eric are all seniors at
• Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: Each of these musical wunderkinds earned a slot in an all-state Ohio Music Education Association group. Livi sings soprano in the OMEA choir, Eric plays viola for the OMEA orchestra and Kevin is a trombonist in the OMEA band. They beat hundreds of other talented students for a place in these exclusive groups.
• Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness: Perhaps, it would be best if we let Mentor High Music Teacher Terry Herschman explain.

"I was on the selection committee a couple years ago," Herschman said when asked how difficult it is to earn a slot in an OMEA group. "We listened to more than 300 recordings to fill the All-State Chorus. The All-State Band committee listens to hundreds of recordings as well. Close to 1,000 students are considered.

"Eric, Livi and Kevin have been practicing their craft for years. The requisite skills are not something one can develop just for such an audition. Their performances reflect years of lessons and practice."

Each of these three have accomplished more than their OMEA placement in their musical careers. Kevin was named outstanding jazz musician at the 2010 Tri-C Jazz Festival.

Eric is the principal violist for the Mentor High School Symphony Orchestra. (He's also the catcher for the varsity baseball team.)

Livi will play the lead role of Christine in the high school's production of Phantom of the Opera. She also has sung with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus for the past two years.

Want to nominate a Whiz Kid? Here's how:

Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to jason.lea@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information.

Nominator's Name

Nominator's E-Mail

Whiz Kid's Name

Whiz Kid's Age

Whiz Kid's School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo.