Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout, or did your local club sports team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kids honoree.

Here's this week's featured student:

• Name: Sam Grant
• Age: 17
• School: Batavia High School
• Accomplishment: Creating awareness and fundraising for a cure for his brother's rare blood disease
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Since his freshman year, Sam has focused on raising awareness and research funds for Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a rare cancer like blood disease.  Sam's brother Jack battled this disease from 2005 through 2008 through chemotherapy and surgeries and is now in remission.  Sam has raised funds for both the Histiocytosis Association of America and the Histio Heroes Research Fund.  Last summer, Sam traveled to Minnesota to help with a fundraiser where he was able to meet with the Histio Heroes Research Fund's lead researcher Dr. Ken McClain whose research could result in effective treatments and a cure for LCH.  Sam learned that, like himself, Dr. McClain was an accomplished trumpet player. Sam is a member of the Wind Symphony and Marching Bulldogs in the Batavia High School Music Program, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Batavia Choir, the Tri-M Music Honor Society and SuperSibs, a support organization for siblings impacted by cancer. 

About This Feature

Each week, Batavia 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 me at charles.menchaca@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's E-Mail
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's Age
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: What makes this student successful or special?

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and take a photo of the student or run a submitted photo. For questions, e-mail me at charles.menchaca@patch.com.