Whiz Kid: Third Grader's Passion for Animals Inspires Project

Whiz Kid of the Week

• Name and Age: Virginia, age 9, third grade
• School:
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Virginia sells handmade friendship bracelets to raise money for an animal shelter in Largo. 
• Key to Awesomeness: Virginia learned to make friendship bracelets in her Brownie Scout troop and received a friendship bracelet kit for her birthday last year. She said she really enjoyed the new craft except that her threads usually became tangled. She recently received a friendship-bracelet maker, which helps keep the threads organized while she weaves them into colorful jewelry. "Since I love animals so much and I really care about them, I wanted to help the homeless animals," Virginia said. She sells them for $1, which goes toward cat and dog food at the SPCA in Largo. She has taken two pages worth of bracelet orders so far.

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They could be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. Nominate your Whiz Kid by emailing editor Katie Dolac at Kathryn.Dolac@patch.com.