Schools

Hartland Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Alyssa Caswell

Sophomore's play to be performed at Wharton Center on Sunday.

Whiz Kid: Alyssa Caswell
Age: 15
Grade: Sophomore
School:
Parents: Paul and Carol
Siblings: Alyssa is the youngest of five.
Accomplishments: Alyssa won $200 as one of six statewide finalists for this year's Young Playwrights Festival at the Wharton Center on Michiagan State University's campus in East Lansing. Her one-act play, Another Darn Birthday, will be performed as one of six by MSU theater students 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Wharton. The cost is free. 

The Reaction: High school drama teacher Miranda Keskes said she's proud of Alyssa's achievement. 

"For the past two years now, we have had a student who has made it to the semi-finals, so it’s exciting to have a finalist this year," she said. "The drama club is taking a field trip on Monday to see her show and the other five shows performed by the MSU Theatre Department. We are excited to see the performances.  Since our students have already performed Alyssa’s show, it will be fun to see another interpretation of it."

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4 questions for Alyssa

What's the play about? "It's basically about a blind date that has gone awfully wrong, and the two people that were supposed to be on the date sit at the wrong tables."

What was it like to learn about your achievement? "It feels amazing to be a finalist, and it's mainly exciting. I know the performers will do an excellent job!"

Why did you enter? "My friends had done plays and all entered theirs, so I figured I would give it a go!"

What are your career aspirations? Would you like to write plays? "I would love to follow play writing, but I don't know how practical that is, but otherwise I really have no clue what I would like to do with my life."

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Each week, Hartland Patch seeks 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 Hartland Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to Christofer Machniak (christofer.machniak@patch.com). Be sure to include all of the following information:

  • Nominator's name
  • Whiz Kid's name and age
  • Whiz Kid's school
  • Whiz Kid's accomplishment
  • Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)


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