Patch Whiz Kid: Victoria Leon

Each week, Port Chester 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 nik@patch.com

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

Victoria Leon

7th Grader at Port Chester Middle School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: 

Leon learned at a young age that cheerleading was about much more than supporting other teams from the sidelines—it requires skill and self-discipline while fusing synchronized gymnastic and dance elements.

After coming to the realization that she not only had a passion but also a knack for the sport, she went above and beyond last year by trekking two or three days a week to Xtreme Cheer, an All-Star Division squad based in Norwalk, CT.

Tournaments in New Jersey and Massachusetts with her Junior Level 3 team this year have since fueled her desire to improve her craft—including her ability to nail difficult maneuvers like a standing tuck and front punch—to edge her competitors. This month, Leon and her teammates will hop a plane to perform at Florida’s Universal Studios on March 25. (*)

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: 

Although traveling around the United States for 10-12 competitions a year has kept Victoria pretty busy after school and on weekends, she has still managed to keep her class averages in the A+ range—qualifying her for High Honor Roll the past two semesters. Before that, she has made Honor Roll most other marking periods at Port Chester Middle School.

CORRECTION: The original version of this story included the wrong date for Leon's performance at Universal Studios. The story text has been modified with the correct date.

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