Whiz Kid: Abby Carstensen School/Grade: Melinda Heights, 5th grade City of Residence: Rancho Santa Margarita Whiz Kid Achievement: Abby is an avid violin player who shares her enthusiasm for music by helping others. Key to Awesomeness: Abby began learning the violin at the beginning of the school year as a 5th grader at Melinda Heights School. She soon realized that she wanted to learn more and began taking private lessons. Through her private lessons, Abby performed in solo concerts and in a student chamber orchestra. Abby also composed her own piece, “The BFFs”, using polyphony, studied …

Whiz Kid: Laura Munoz School/Grade: Trabuco Hills High School/Senior Residence: Rancho Santa Margarita Whiz Kid Accomplishment: Serves as an ASB representative, is vice president of the French club, was named Outstanding Attorney at the Mock Trial competition, serves on the Rancho Santa Margarita Teen Council and plans to attend Yale in the fall. Key to Awesomeness: Laura wears many hats at Trabuco Hills High School, and she wears them all well. As an ASB representative, she rallies enthusiasm for school spirit days, leads volunteer events and helps organize teacher appreciation days. “My …

Whiz Kid: Kaiulani Bush School/Grade: Trabuco Hills High School/Senior Residence: Rancho Santa Margarita Whiz Kid Accomplishment: Won Homecoming Queen, serves as ASB president, directs the Comedy Sportz Team and stands out in the classroom and on the sports field. Key to Awesomeness: Kaiulani Bush knows a thing or two about hard work. She has, in fact, been working hard since her freshman year at Trabuco Hills High, where she has been involved in drama, film study, cheer, basketball and varsity track and field. A senior, Kai was selected Homecoming Queen, an honor that showcases her wide …

Whiz Kid: Brad Andersen School/Grade: Tesoro High School/Senior Nominated by: Jim Paulos and Ann Zendner Whiz Kid Accomplishment:  Has gone above and beyond as ASB Director of Operations for the school, in addition to keeping up on the varsity football team and making top grades in the classroom. Key to Awesomeness: Brad applied for the position of  ASB Web Commissioner his senior year, relaying to the interview team that he wanted to join a “winning team.” He was impressed with the current ASB website and wanted to keep on top of cutting edge technology by being involved. Since joining the …

Whiz Kid: Corey Lowe School/Grade: Santa Margarita Catholic High School/ 10th grade Parents: Lisa and Steve Lowe Whiz Kid Achievement:  Although on the junior varsity volleyball team at Santa Margarita, Corey excels on the court, but he also excels away from it, using his talent with computers and devoting time to helping seniors with their computer needs. He also teaches classes at his church and edits photos and videos for the volleyball programs at SMCHS. Key to Awesomeness:  Corey’s love of computers and volleyball make him a standout in his community, at school and in the game. Corey …

Name: Allysa Alvidera, 8 years old Parents: Benjie and Sarah Alvidera School/Grade: Serra Catholic School, second grade Whiz Kid Achievement: Allysa composed “Violet Violin Is Unfriendly to Bella the Bow” for orchestra and wrote a story by the same name to describe the music in her composition. Her piece is 31 measures and includes parts for two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, alto saxophone, trumpet and snare drum. Her story is one page in length and describes an argument between Violet Violin and Bella the Bow at Strings Open Elementary and how it was peacefully resolved with …

Name: Taylor Capretz Parents: Jim and Cindy Capretz School/Grade: Santa Margarita Catholic High School, 10th grade Whiz Kid Achievement: Traveled to Nepal for a month to work with mothers and children infected with the AIDS/HIV virus, is currently putting together a documentary of her experience. Started a club at her school called Friends of HIV-Infected Children, is currently working on starting a foundation for this cause. She plans to travel to Brazil and Africa to further her research and work. Key to Awesomeness: Taylor began her journey when she attended an event at the Rand Corp. in …

Name: Ariana Aghassi Age: 13 School: Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Accomplishments: Placed first and made National Grand Champions at Jamz Competition in Las Vegas this February with her team, OC Allstars, all the while holding Vice Principal's honor roll. Key to Awesomeness: Ariana has been dancing since she was 3 years old. In the first grade, she joined a competitive dance team. She has spent most of her time at OC Allstars, a local dance company. This past year, she joined the cheer team at OC Allstars for the first time and has succeeded with that as well. Her practice requires 8 …

Matthew Hamilton Age: 11 School: Serra Catholic School, Rancho Santa Margarita Whiz Kid Accomplishment: Recently bridged from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts with Troop 818 and was commissioned  by Scout master to help with Cub Scout camp this summer as a service project. Key to Awesomeness: Matthew Hamilton is no ordinary Scout. He joined Den 14 with Serra Catholic’s Scouts in first grade and has shown outstanding performance over the years. Recently, Matthew bridged from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and looks forward to making the transition to the “Orange Shirts.” His cub master, Chris Brahney, …