Whiz Kid: Finnish Sophomore Finds Home at Andover

Each week, West Bloomfield Patch features students doing amazing things in their schools and in their communities. 

Oona Alajarvi

• Age: 17
• School: 
• Achievement: Oona is one of about 15 exchange students living in West Bloomfield through the nonprofit network Youth for Understanding, which has been active in Michigan and Europe since 1951.  
  
  Since coming to hosts Beth and Todd Sinclair's home in West Bloomfield from the European city of Turku, Finland, last August, Oona has become involved with many extracurricular activities at Andover. Oona was a welcome addition to the earlier this year and currently plays in the symphony band. She also sings in the Andover Chamber Choir, where she recently sang a solo in Finnish as part of the Solo Ensemble competition. 
  
  This past winter, Oona jumped onto the , which recently won the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division championship and will compete this week for its first district basketball title since 1977.
  
  Prior to this season, Oona ran with the junior varsity cross-country team, coached by her host mom.

• Key to awesomeness: "Oona has an upbeat, positive attitude about everything she undertakes," said Barb Kilkka, field director for Youth for Understanding. "Every day is another chance to run for the roses. Her positive, can-do attitude is infectious and spreads to other students."
  
  Beth Sinclair described the 17-year-old as someone who is incredibly hardworking, dedicated and always quick to smile.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

West Bloomfield Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Tim.Rath@patch.com. Please include all these details:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• What makes him or her successful.