Whiz Kid: Rachel Pyne

Each week Harrison Patch wants to spotlight someone you know who is doing great things! We will recognize their accomplishments through our Whiz Kids column. 

This week we chose Harrison resident and Sacred Heart first grader Rachel Pyne.

Whiz Kids' Accomplishments: After a family member in Afghanistan mentioned that students in the area are fighting over things to write with, Rachel collected more than 70 pounds of pens from other students and family members and mailed them halfway across the world. 

Key to Awesomeness: While exchanging letters with her cousin, Justin Pothier, who is in the 181 U.S Infantry in Afghanistan, Rachel heard that students were fighting over pens, which aren't easy to come across for students in the area.

This Whiz Kid sprang into action, asking students at her school to donate pens and collecting them for students in Afghanistan. The month-long pen drive yielded more than 70 pounds of pens, which she mailed out on Tuesday.

"I asked everyone to make a difference because it's not just helping me, it's helping other people too," Rachel said.

The well-spoken first grader said that she hopes the new supplies help children across the world understand that people here in the United States care about their well-being. Her cousin Justin will try to donate the pens to schools, where children have been fighting over pens given to them by soldiers.

The shortage of pens in the area has caused problems, as older kids have been fighting younger ones for pens. The idea is that by providing enough writing supplies, the students won't have to fight each other for them.

Rachel started the pen drive by making a presentation to elementary school students at Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT. Since then, hundreds of people have donated to the cause.

"The response has really been overwhelming," said Rachel's mother Helene Pyne. "It started off as small — just a little girl's idea — and it turned into something really special."

Only a first grader, Rachel has shown a level of compassion and caring for others not often found in someone her age.

"I'm not just thinking about my cousin and I'm not just thinking about me and my friends, when I'm doing this I'm thinking about the kids in Afghanistan," Rachel said.

If you would like to nominate a Whiz Kid please send the following information to Harrison Patch Editor Zach Oliva.

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's E-Mail
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (What made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a picture.