Whiz Kid: Abby Wasylean Shined at Washington, D.C. Conference

Abyy Wasylean is an honors student and involved with several music groups.

Name: Abby Wasylean

School: Frank E. Thompson Middle School

Accomplishments: Abby has maintained high honors each year; however, her talents and abilities are not limited to the three R’s!!  Abby enjoys music and participates as a keyboard player in the TMS Jazz Band.  She has participated in the TMS chorus and sang in the school talent show.  Since the second grade, Abby has been an active choir member at St. Joseph’s Church where she sings soprano with other middle- and high-school girls and adults.  She also sang in the choir’s Christmas CD that was recorded a few years ago.  

A special highlight in Abby’s academic career is her participation last July in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC.  Nominated by one of the TMS faculty, she joined many other young people from around the nation in learning first-hand social advocacy skills needed to make a positive impact on their communities. In addition to group discussions and projects, the young scholars spent their busy week visiting many historic sites in and around our nation’s capital, including the White House, the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, and Korean War Veterans memorials, and museums—all playing significant roles in the conference topics. 

In one of the conference components, the students used their communications skills in debating and negotiating First Amendment rights, citing relevant support for the various sides of the topics.  According to her dad, Abby still cites the case law, proving that she certainly retains and uses the knowledge and skills that she is taught. 

Abby Wasylean lives with her parents, Stephen and Joanne Wasylean, and her cat Sammy (named for a favorite historical hero, Samuel Adams).  

Key to Awesomeness: Abby gives school and music her all with lots of hard work and practice. Her teachers and family say she displays  leadership, good communication, goal setting, problem solving, respect, and teamwork.