Valley View Fourth Grader a Big Help to New Student

Each week, Menomonee Falls Patch selects individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments for our Whiz Kid feature.

This week's Patch Whiz Kid of the Week is fourth-grader Madeline Labott. 

School: Valley View Elementary

Accomplishment: Madeline has helped a Vietnamese student transition to life in the United States in a big way.

Key to Awesomeness: Madeline Labott has shown sensitivity and helpfulness in supporting one of her new classmates. 

This girl in her class moved to Menomonee Falls from Vietnam just a short time ago and started school at Ben Franklin last year.  However, just a year later she had to transition again to Valley View Elementary. 

Madeline's empathy in guiding this friend has gone beyond what anyone would expect from a fourth-grader.  She anticipates her needs and goes out of her way to make her feel special. 

Madeline has done more than explain directions for lessons or help her understand math concepts.  She has taught her American customs and showed her the ways of a typical "fourth-grade girl".  Madeline does all of this with an appreciation for her ethnicity and interest in learning about the Vietnamese culture.

Madeline's role has had a positive influence on the progress her classmate has made in school and adapting so well to our school school routines.  Madeline cheers on her successes and builds her self-confidence.