Whiz Kid: This Jiu Jitsu Champ's Just 11 Years Old

This week's Whiz Kid is....

• Name: Taylor Guerra
• Age: 11
• School: John F. Kennedy Middle School
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment: She is a champion Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter who has won many tournaments in the last two years, including two gold medals at an Indiana competition, one for a superfight in the expert division. She trains at the MMA Stop Fitness in Crest Hill six days a week.
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness: Taylor is a petite girl, yet she competes against mostly bigger boys. She believes in herself, learns from losses, never gives up, puts the time in and pushes herself to get better -- and she's a nice little girl. Check out her videos at YouTube under Taylor Guerra or thespottie7.

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout? Did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree(s). We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to karen@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name
• Nominator's e-mail
• Whiz Kid's name
• Whiz Kid's age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)
• A high-resolution JPG photo of your Whiz Kid