Schools
Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Christina Zografakis
Amid a flurry of activities, award-winning dancer and student relies on staying organized and getting support from mom and dance teachers.
Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week, we highlight Paxon Hollow student and award-winning dancer Christina Zografakis.
Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Christina Zografakis
Whiz Kid's Name, Age: Christina Zografakis, 13
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Whiz Kid's School:
Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Christina Zografakis is a dancer on the nationally-recognized teen competition team at in Broomall. She has earned first place awards in tap, ballet and jazz dance competing in the top dance competitions in the country, including Co. Dance, Tremaine and West Coast Dance Explosion. She was also selected as a dancer in the movie Standing Ovation, released to theaters last summer.
Find out what's happening in Marple Newtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Zografakis keeps distinguished honors in her schoolwork, serves as an active member of Greek Orthodox Youth Association (GOYA) and maintains her position as a student council representative, all while juggling an average of 10 to 15 hours of dance per week. “I really have to organize my time,” she said, explaining, “I don’t wait till the last minute to get things done—I just do a little bit each day.”
Zografakis, who’s been dancing since the age of four, also credits the support of her mom and her teachers at the dance studio for her recent accomplishments. “My mom has really been there for me,” she said, explaining how her dad was concerned about her pulling a few late nights but that her mom was quick to defend her.
Her advice to others looking to follow in her footsteps is to be persistent but maintain perspective. “Keep trying but don’t overdo it,” she said. “‘Cause if you do, you’ll just get frustrated,” she continued. Her final assessment of her dance experiences so far: “I love it so much!”
Editor's note: 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. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.
