After Loss, Varner Student Continues Work for Ronald McDonald

Whiz Kid: Aidyn Despiau-Vazquez, 7 years old

School:

Church: St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marietta

Accomplishment and Key to Awesomeness (from Aidyn's teacher, Libby Wingo): Last August, Aidyn's younger brother, Anthony, was diagnosed with leukemia and was treated by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for seven months. During Anthony's treatments, Aidyn became aware of the services of the Ronald McDonald House and decided she wanted to do something to help them.

She wrote a letter to our principal, Pamela Adeli, outlining her plan to ask our entire school to collect and save pop tops from aluminum cans to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. She met with the principal and our counselor to further explain her plan, then she and I went on our closed-circuit TV channel to encourage students to bring in the pop tops.

We have donated two large copy paper boxes full of pop tops so far and more are coming in. Sadly, Anthony lost his battle against his cancer, but Aidyn's hope is that other children and their families can be helped by donating the pop tops.

She is a remarkable young lady who has dealt with more than her share of difficulties this year but has continued to make excellent grades and produce high-quality work. I am very proud of all she has accomplished.