Newark Whiz Kid: Kalina Montgomery

Thank you for checking out the first installment of Newark Patch's new Whiz Kid feature! Each week, we'll feature an outstanding Newark young person or group. If you have someone you'd like to , send an email to editor Kris Vera-Phillips at kvp@patch.com. Please follow the format below and include a photo of your nominee.

Name and Age: Kalina Montgomery, 13

School: 

Accomplishment: Kalina’s mom says she is pretty remarkable for a 13-year-old girl. She juggles a busy schedule of school, sports, music and her own business. Check it out:

• Kalina is a junior lifeguard at the, where she teaches swimming to little ones.
• She is on the rock climbing pre-team at City Beach.
• She sings with the advanced choir group at Newark Junior High School, and she is set to perform at Great America in May.
• She has her own business, “Kalina Cares,” a babysitting and pet sitting in Newark.
• Kalina earned a 4.0 GPA during her first quarter in junior high.
• This year marks her third year swimming with the Newark Bluefins Swim Team. Her goal is to make championships in July.
• Kalina has earned close to $800 towards her eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip.
• Next month, she will volunteer at Central Veterinary Hospital. That’s where she plans on shadowing animal doctors and nurses as she explorers her future career as a veterinarian.
• In the past, Kalina has been a published columnist and has created a DVD supporting the Oakland Zoo. She is contributing to a book of photographs of the Sunol area, and she contributes hours of community service with her 4-H group.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Lends a helping hand whenever possible and contributes to her city and her world.