Whiz Kids is a weekly feature in which Patch profiles an outstanding youngster or youth group. This week's Whiz Kid is Samantha Perkins, who is awesome because she's building a strong work ethic at an early age.

Whiz Kid: Samantha Perkins

Age: 17

School: Hoboken High School, 12th Grade

Seventeen year-old Hoboken High School senior Samantha Perkins is preparing to attend college next fall. She's already been accepted, with a scholarship, to St. Elizabeth, Iona and the University of Hartford. She is also waiting to hear from Ramapo.

She plans to study secondary education. “I want to be a teacher, then at one point become a guidance counselor,” she says.

Samantha is herself a good student, taking a full load of advance placement and international baccalaureate classes this year including in English, history and art. She is currently the vice-president of the student council.

Samantha also has a job. She's worked since she was young, helping her family run Dom's Bakery Grand.

“I've been working since I was a freshman,” she says. “It keeps me busy.”

For the past year she has served as an assistant in a dental office, where she works about fifteen hours every week, including Saturdays.

She handles billing and spends a lot of time discussing business with insurance and other companies. “It's great, I get the opportunity to learn how all of that works,” she says.

Samantha likes to relax by watching television and shopping. She's athletic, having started as the center for the varsity volleyball team all four of her years at Hoboken High, including serving as a team captain. She's been playing the sport since the third grade.

“I love it. My heart is volleyball,” she says.

Do you know a Whiz Kid, or even a whole group of them? Send any and all nominations to alanskontra@hotmail.com, and check back each week to read about some outstanding youngsters in your community.