Whiz Kid: Lamar Pickett

Name: Lamar Pickett, 18

Grade: Senior

School: Sewickley Academy, Senior School

Accomplishment: In September, Lamar was notified that he'd been chosen as a semi-finalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Last month, he learned he was a finalist. Lamar was selected from a pool of 1,600 semifinalists and is in the running for the 800 scholarships to be offered this spring.

Key to Awesomeness: The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition that dates to 1964 and provides recognition for outstanding African-American high school students. African-American students may enter the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Program by taking the required qualifying tests and meeting other participation requirements. The merit program also recognized Lamar as a "commended student" for his exceptional academic promise.

Lamar, who has a 3.52 grade point average, said he's thrilled to be named a finalist.

"I'm really excited. It was sort of a surprise to me because it's not something you spend time focusing on," he said.

Lamar hasn't decided on a college yet, but after graduating, he plans to major in biology and then attend medical school. Lamar is co-president of the African-American Awareness Club and belongs to the Diversity Student Association and the A Cappella Club. He is a member of the tennis team, sings in the chorus and plays guitar. This week, he's been busy playing the role of Underling in Sewickley Academy's musical "The Drowsy Chaperone."

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This weekly feature honors individual kids, teens and youth groups who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about more amazing children and teens in the Sewickley area. Send us your nominations by emailing larissa.dudkiewicz@patch.com. We need the name of the child, age, school, accomplishment and key to awesomeness.