Young Flutist Helps Homeless and Her Peers: Whiz Kid

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week:  Kalyn Desjardins

Whiz Kid's Age:  14

Whiz Kid's School:  , Chicago Heights

Whiz Kid's Accomplishments;  Kalyn is the Valedictorian at St. Paul's Lutheran School along with being class president.  Kalyn is a cheerleader, basketball player, volleyball player, plays flute in the school band, tutors math to other students and is an usher at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. 

“I help some seventh and eighth graders in their math lessons," Kalyn said. "My role as class president is running the meetings, attending the open houses where I help give tours of the school and [helping] with fundraising for our class trip.”

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:  The St. Paul's Lutheran School youth group, of which Kalyn is a member, serves PADS guests once a month. 

“The third Monday of the month the youth group, about thirty of us, serve [food] to the homeless in the Chicago Heights area," Kalyn said. "It is an experience in which we grow with each other.”

Whiz Kid's Favorite Memory:  “My favorite memory is WalCamp," Kalyn said. "I got to stay overnight in sixth grade. The best thing is the classmates that I’m with. We have a connection growing in our religion together. Every school day here is a new memory. I really want to bring what I learned here at St. Paul's . . . to the next level at Marian.”

Whiz Kid's Advice: "To take what you have learned at St.Paul's, remember the experiences we have learned and use them in high school," Kalyn said. "Above all else keep God in your hearts.”

Got a Whiz Kid? Send an email to Christopher.Paicely@patch.com.