Whiz Kids: St. Al's/St. Pat's 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Team

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 Kids are...

St. Al's/St. Pat's 8th Grade Volleyball Team

Names: Dylan Glosa, Julie Balnius, Brittany DeWilkins, Anna Smagala, Kristen Malloy, Jenna Molaro, Libby Mitchell, Alexis Enacopol, Jenna Ward, Kathryn Lenz and Kate Caruso

Grade(s): 8th

School:

Accomplishment: In conjunction with Holland and Knight's 9/11 volunteer initiative, the eighth-grade girls volleyball team from St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School "served" up a delicious meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Lincoln Park. Ronald McDonald House provides a "home-away-from-home" for families of children who are injured or seriously ill. For little to no cost, families can stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their children receives medical care.

Key(s) to Awesomeness: As a bonus, the team benefited from expert help and guidance from celebrity chef Paul Young, who starred on season 6 of the Food Network reality show "Next Food Network Star." Young, the cousin of Julie Balnius, helped the Celtics prepare a spring mix salad with herb vinaigrette, chicken vesuvio with roasted potatoes, sloppy Joes, and broccoli with red pepper. To cap the meal, the girls served festive Halloween cupcakes. The team received many compliments on their beautifully-prepared, delicious meal.

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Thanks to a partnership with Nancy's Pizza, each Lemont Patch Whiz Kid will receive a certificate good for for one small Super Thin Crust cheese pizza.

Whiz Kids may redeem their certificate at , 1240 State St. For more information call Nancy's Pizza Lemont at 630-243-0033.