Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Amy Robbins

Know a kid so smart, self-aware or sweet that he or she can only be described as a “Whiz Kid?” Each week, our site will highlight the accomplishments of local children and teens. From youth group leaders to sports team captains to scholarship winners, all will be considered for “Whiz Kid” status on Scarsdale Patch. Submit nominations in the comment box below, or e-mail the information to kirstin.fawcett@patch.com.

Amy Robbins, 15, Scarsdale

10th Grader at Westchester Hebrew High School, Young Israel of Scarsdale member

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment:

A do-gooder, an athlete, a dancer and a scholar – if these titles sound like they are describing a disparate group of angst-ridden, detention-serving teenagers in a John Hughes film, you’re only partially correct.  They also apply to Amy Robbins, a sophomore who researches and compares Biblical poetry, starts on her school’s girls’ basketball, volleyball and softball teams, shimmies and stomps her feet as a 13-year tap and jazz veteran at Larchmont’s Dance Studio and is planning a kids vs. adults basketball tournament to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. Look out, Molly Ringwald!

Key to Awesomeness:

When asked what she planned to do with her future, 15-year-old Amy had no definite answer. “It’s always fun to see what life throws at you,” said Amy – and for once, she wasn’t talking about a softball or basketball.

Amy, who starts on her school’s volleyball and softball teams, is interested in pursuing a career in special education for children. Until then, she’s busy dabbling in an out-of-class research assignment comparing Old Testament Biblical passages, raising money for cystic fibrosis research and dancing across stages around the country.

When she’s not sprinting around a basketball court or a softball dugout, Amy participates in jazz and tap classes at Larchmont’s Dance Studio. Currently, Amy is enrolled in a special tap class that performs at various venues across the East Coast, including New Compounce, a New England family theme park.

About three years ago, the Dance Studio traveled to Radio City Music Hall, allowing Amy to dance with the Rockettes!

“Every other year, the Dance Studio takes their classes somewhere special,” said Amy. “That year, they took us to Radio City Music Hall. We got to go backstage where the Rockettes practice and have try-outs, and they taught us dances that are in their shows and told us about their lives. It was really interesting.”

From academics to athletics, Amy’s been given some great opportunities. Now, she wants to give back to others by orchestrating a 3-on-3 Adults vs. Kids basketball tournament to raise money for a cystic fibrosis cure.

“My cousin has cystic fibrosis, so it’s a disease I’ve known and seen firsthand,” said Amy. “Anyone who wants to can participate in the basketball tournament to raise money for research.”

Scarsdale Patch isn’t quite sure what life will throw at Amy quite yet, but one thing’s certain – with her altruistic enthusiasm, good karma is sure to be flung her way.