For this week’s Whiz Kid, we’re highlighting Brecksville-Broadview Heights sophomore Cindy Zhao. Zhao was one of our Whiz Kids a few weeks ago, but her recent award merits an extra congratulations. 

Zhao is one of the top 20 Chemistry Olympiad participants in the country – that means she’ll get the chance to take part in a two-week training camp this summer. And she has the chance to be one of four students chosen to attend the International Chemistry Olympiad. 

Cindy Zhao

Age/grade level: 15, Sophomore

School: Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School

Accomplishment: Being one of the top 20 Chemistry Olympiad students in the country. Zhao also came in first in the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics state championship this year and said she got perfect scores in the math league. She said she thinks she’s just having a “lucky year” for math. 

Key to Awesomeness: Zhao attributes her success to practice, good teachers and a little bit of luck. Her mother, Feifei Zhao, said the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District gives students a really strong math background. Zhao was able to get involved in middle school and has had a lot of chances to compete in high school, her mother added.

Do you know someone who should be our next Whiz Kid (and we know you do – all of those end-of-the-year awards count)? Email the following information to Editor Rachel Abbey:

• Your name and email address,
• The name of the Whiz Kid (or Kids) you’d like to nominate,
• The Whiz Kid's age/grade level,
• The Whiz Kid's school,
• The Whiz Kid's stand-out accomplishment, and 
• Just a few words about what made him or her successful. 

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and reach out to the Whiz Kid’s family.