Kids & Family
Patch Whiz Kid of the Week—Amrita Balram
Know an outstanding youth, sports team, school club or any accomplished young citizen who is deserving of this mini-profile honor? Send you nominations to sheila.sanchez@patch.com.
Amrita Balram, Age 13
Schools: Young Genius Learning Center in Los Gatos/Saratoga and eighth-grader at Sam H. Lawson Middle School in Cupertino
Schools: Young Genius Learning Center in Los Gatos/Saratoga and eighth-grader at Sam H. Lawson Middle School in Cupertino
Accomplishments:
- Straight-A student at Sam H. Lawson Middle School
- National Junior Honor Society student
- National Junior Speech/Debate League member with Young Genius Bay Area Debate Academy
- Web leader at Sam H. Lawson Middle School
- Plays viola in Lawson Advanced Orchestra
- Poetry writing competition winner in a contest organized by Cupertino Library
- Oil painting artist
- Basketball player with Cupertino Hoops
Key to Awesomeness:
Amrita has excelled in debate at the Young Genius Bay Area Debate Academy, according to owner Helen Heinsohn.
She recently participated in debate tournaments at Peter Burnett Middle School Tournament and Presentation High School, said Heinsohn.
Young Genius’ coach Stacy Dawson has guided her to win three rounds and to be a finalist at the recent Panther fun tournament at Presentation High School, according to Heinsohn.
Amrita is also creative in extracurricular activities, Heinsohn added.
She has been learning Indian classical dance since the age of 6 and has performed Bharatanatyam in several annual school performances.
Amrita’s favorite sport is basketball, which she has played for the past four years on the Cupertino Hoops team.
Amrita is going to perform with the orchestra at the California All-State Music Education Conference this year.
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At Lawson Middle School, Amrita has shown leadership by becoming a web leader and by joining Future Business Leaders of America.
Heinsohn said Amrita is compassionate, loves to volunteer and is always looking for ways to help.
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Her new favorite hobby is to bake cookies and distribute them to her neighbors, Heinsohn said.
She also enjoys to oil paint and draw in her spare time, according to Heinsohn.
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