Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Ari Marder

Each week, White Plains 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 dina.sciortino@patch.com

Here's our story on this week's Whiz Kid: Ari Marder

• Whiz Kid's Age, Where Whiz Kid Lives: 17, White Plains
• Whiz Kid's School: Westchester Hebrew High School, 856 Orienta Avenue, Mamaroneck
• Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: Ari Marder is a natural born leader and he does it all. He is the president of the Westchester Hebrew High School Student Government, captain of the basketball and baseball team, and captain of the College Bowl. He even helped write and act in the school’s current play, “Leslie & Greg, A Delightful Love Story That Might Leave You In Stitches,” being performed free for the elderly on March 30, and for the general public April 3 and April 4.
• Keys to Awesomeness: Ari uses his natural charisma, focus, and smarts in the service of others.  Ari is passionate about helping kids with special needs, in his free time, he volunteers for the National Jewish Council for Disabilities. On Friday nights, Ari has been known to walk over to The Esplanade, the White Plains Senior Citizen Center and lead Friday Night Services for the elderly. 
• Ari delivers food and clothing to the homeless through Project Embrace, and last year after the earthquake, Ari helped Haitians in need by selling dog-tags.  Wonder where Ari gets it all from?  Ari has wonderful role models in his parents, Rabbi Chaim and Suzie Marder, the leaders of the Hebrew Institute of White Plains. They have much to be proud of!

Nominated by: Gail Peck Rauner gail@gprcommunications.com

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