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Whiz Kid: Aria Bendix, Santa Margarita Catholic High

This high school senior maintains a 4.8 GPA and also fights against cancer as president of the Breath of Hope Club.

Whiz Kid: Aria Bendix

School/Grade: Santa Margarita Catholic High School/Senior

City of Residence: Trabuco Canyon

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Whiz Kid Accomplishment: Founded the Breath of Hope Club at SMCHS, which raises awareness about mesothelioma, the cancer that claimed her father’s life in 2009. Also maintains a 4.8 GPA and has been accepted into Harvard University in the fall.

Key to Awesomeness:

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For Aria Bendix, a senior at SMCHS, life took an unexpected, tragic turn in September, 2009, when her father Ken passed away from mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer linked to asbestos. Aria then formed the Breath of Hope Club at SMCHS, which raises awareness for the disease. Along with Liz Watson, vice president of the club, Aria has helped raise over $8,000 for the cause.

Last summer, Aria traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with senators and representatives to advocate for the signing of HR 771, a resolution to make Mesothelioma Awareness Day a national day. The House of Representatives passed the resolution. In June last year, Aria was also honored at the International Symposium for Mesothelioma and received the Volunteer of the Year award for her family’s work in raising awareness and funding to establish the Ken Bendix Memorial Grant. Aria and Liz Watson accepted the recognition award on behalf of the club and presented a check for $5,000 to the foundation. Aria then spoke on behalf of the Bendix family and the club and urged other volunteers to join in the fight for a cure.

In August, Aria traveled to the University of Toronto to meet with research scientist Dr. Andrea McCart, to whom the Ken Bendix Memorial Grant had been awarded. Aria attended presentations on Dr. McCart’s research and toured the doctor’s research laboratory.

Aside from her passionate work with the Breath of Hope Club, Aria also maintains an impressive 4.8 GPA, serves as President of the National Honor Society and is earning an International Baccalaureate diploma.  She also participates in the school’s Model United Nations program and has been received a variety of awards from other organizations for her writing, academic achievement and school involvement. Aria is also a member of the varsity tennis team.

Aria was accepted into several distinguished universities but has chosen Harvard as her school of choice for the fall. She plans to major in English and continue her fight against mesothelioma. For her involvement in the Breath of Hope Club, dedication to her studies and her humble and positive spirit, Aria is a commendable and outstanding as this week’s Whiz Kid.

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