Marian Teen Proves He Can Talk the Talk: Whiz Kid

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Joe Wlos

Whiz Kid’s School: Marian High School Chicago Heights

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Marian senior Joe Wlos recently won State Championships in both Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking to lead Marian Catholic to a second place finish at IHSA State for Speech.

Joe Wlos is also the Editor-in-chief of Marian Megaphone, the Marian Catholic newspaper. Joe also was instrumental in bringing a writers workshop to Marian High School.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness:  In 7th grade, Joe applied  for and got  a position as a junior reporter for Scholastic Publishing. His first stories included a historical Baptist church fire and the King Tut exhibit. Joe has attended fundraisers  with celebrities and high key politicians in attendance.  His most memorable moment ever is being granted a press pass from Scholastic Publishing to cover Barack Obama in Grant Park on election night. 

“That moment itself, I will never forget that feeling," Joe said. "The people at Grant Park, I felt the ground shaking from all the excitement. Watching a whole line of reporters, speaking in different languages announcing Barack Obama winning the election, was a picture perfect moment. I’m going to remember that forever.”

Who Inspires Whiz Kid:  David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker, is Joe’s journalistic hero. Also Emmy Award winning correspondent David Shuster formerly of MSNBC gave Joe Wlos some pointers for his endeavors as a journalist.  Joe’s most inspirational people: his teachers at Marian Catholic High School.

Whiz Kid’s Goal:  To have a story published in the New Yorker.

Got a Whiz Kid? Email Christopher.Paicely@patch.com.