Old Quarry Eighth-Grader Justin Whitehouse: Whiz Kid

Each week, Lemont Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments.

We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Local Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the information included below.

And without further ado, this week's Whiz Kid is...

Whiz Kid's Age: 14

Whiz Kids' School: 

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment:

• Sports: Qualified for Illinois Swimming, Inc. Regionals with qualified and competed for conference swim meets during past two years with Lockport Homer Swim Club; earned black belt in Taekwondo at age 10.

• Academics: Just won the Old Quarry Middle School National Geographic Geography Bee; in past, won first place in Providence High School science competition; top student at Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (awarded at Illinois Math and Science Academy in 2010); part of winning scholastic bowl team at Old Quarry the past two years; awarded Old Quarry science and literature awards in 2010.

• Music: Has played piano since age 5; currently a student of Svetlana Belsky in the music department at the University of Chicago; won a silver medal in the Sonatina competition over a year ago, but currently prefers to play for  personal enjoyment.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Justin's mom, Jamie Stalker, said, "I think he is just a special kid with a special brain and he loves to learn new things."