Los Gatos Patch Whiz Kid of the Week—Olivia Flechsig

Olivia Flechsig,  age 16

School: Incoming junior at .

Accomplishments:

• Principal's Scholar 2009 and 2010 for academic achievement.
• Scholar of Distinction,  2009-2011.
• Earned straight As all semesters.
• Incoming Junior Class President 2011-12.
• Sophomore Class President 2010-11.
• Freshmen Cabinet Member 2009-10.
• Continuously participated in student government since she was in third grade.
• Captain of Los Gatos High School's Speech and Debate Team.
• Degree of Excellence from the National Forensics League.
• Voted Students to Students role model for Sincerity, 2010.
• Received Los Gatos High School’s Young Leader Award 2010.
• Los Gatos High LINK Crew Leader for incoming freshmen.
• Organizes the biannual Los Gatos High School Red Cross blood drive.
• Member of .
• Played Horton the Elephant in Fisher Middle School’s Seussical 2009.
• When time permits, takes singing lessons.
• Enjoys spending time with friends, baking, eating and shopping.
• LGHS varsity badminton team 2010.
• Has traveled to China, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, England, Honduras, Belize and the Caymen Islands.
• Recipient of Fisher Middle School’s Wesley Walton Service Award 2009.
• Volunteers with Operation Care and Comfort, Group Education to Protect and Defend Animals, the Venue and Calvary Church of Los Gatos.
• Could tie her shoes at age 3.

Key to Awesomeness:

Olivia lives at home with parents Lu Ann and Karl Flechsig, her dog Zach and her two parakeets, Juliette and Tweet. She also has an older sister, Natalie, 21, who is attending UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law, and is a cancer survivor.

She has set high standards and goals for her life, according to mom Lu Ann Flechsig. She works hard to achieve her goals, but never forgets the important things in life, "the love of her family and friends."

She has made a conscious choice not to drink or do drugs and is proud it, mom said. She loves participating in student government and leadership class and strives for unity and respect for all students. She isn’t afraid to speak up if someone is being picked on and she doesn’t bow to peer pressure.

Olivia never lets her fears get in the way of trying new things, mom added. For example, she is terrified of sharks, but chose to participate in a night snorkel to see the Manta Rays in Hawaii, mom said.

She also climbed a rock wall when she was 4, parasailed, and recently ran her first biathlon.