Whiz Kids: Muskego Teen Helps Raise Money for Veterans Program

Name: Allie Konkol, 16

School: Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha

Key to Allie's Awesomeness: She hopes to graduate from high school with some college credits and is involved in extracurricular activities including community service and holding down a part-time job.

Why Allie is a Whiz Kid: When Allie Konkol graduates from Catholic Memorial High School in 2013, she hopes to have a couple of college credits under her belt. Starting in the Fall 2011 when she's a junior, Allie will be enrolled in the Interational Baccalaureate program at CMH, which is an internationally recognized advanced education program. What it means is that Allie will be able to take a series of exams at the end of her senior year. Passing with certain scores may equal college credits, enabling her to enter college with credits already part of her record.

"I really like school, and even though I know a lot of the material is difficult and the teachers push you, it's going to make me a stronger person and make me more ready for college," Allie noted.

Additionally, Allie is active in her school drama program and is in the cast for the spring production of "Guys & Dolls." Allie is also involved in the International Reach service club, and this fall, she participated in the CMH haunted house to raise money for the Honor Flight Program, which provides free flights for veterans to visit memorials and monuments in and around Washington, D.C.

Allie's mother, Denise, is proud of her daughter.

"I think what I have seen in Allie, and what many of her teachers have noted, is that Allie has a good heart, a sense of decency and a strong moral compass, which will serve her well as we look forward to college," she said. "I feel that really has set her apart from 'your average teen' and made her successful in her studies and work. Couple that with a great sense of humor, and she's just an awesome kid, but I'm biased, I guess."