Hudson Patch Whiz Kid: Clara Malanaphy

Hudson Patch Whiz Kid: Clara Malanaphy, 13

School:

Accomplishment:  Clara is one of 15 nation-wide winners in a National Geographic essay contest and won an expedition to the  Cayman Islands.

Key to awesomeness: “National Geographic Kids” asked kids to write a essay of 300 words or less explaining how they actively explore their world, incorporating water in a creative way. ”I wrote about how I like to go hiking in Willow River State Park,” she said noting the “really cool” sites there in the park with the waterfall. Clara also wrote about hunting in tide pools in New Hampshire and Maine. Her trip with the other winners to the Cayman Islands was earlier this month.