Schools
Whiz Kid: Athlete Also Volunteers with Dogs
Brandon Copeland is very happy to be attending Oakville Middle School so that he can participate on sports teams.
This week's Whiz Kid is Brandon Copeland, an A student who enjoys playing sports at Oakville Middle School. Do you know a great kid? Email sarah.flagg@patch.com.
Name: Brandon Copeland
Age: 12
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School:
Year in school: 6th grade
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Accomplishment: Brandon is earning top grades and is a member of both the volleyball and cross-country teams at school.
Key to Awesomeness: Brandon is a self-starter when it comes to studying. He comes home after his school day and hits the books. He knows that is the key to his good grades.
“Study hard everyday for at least five minutes,” Brandon advises his fellow students.
An active Boy Scout member, Brandon just moved up from Weeblos to Boy Scout status this summer. With the promotion came a one-week camp-out at Camp Roy C. Manchester in Kentucky. There, he and other scouts were in the Eagle Bound program, where they learned Boy Scout basics like tying knots, starting fires and raising flags.
Brandon enjoys reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. Since the books are set in middle school, Brandon can easily relate to some of the situations in the stories.
When not running cross country, playing volleyball, or studying, Brandon enjoys painting with watercolors. He opted for a program at Oakville Middle School that introduces him to art, cooking, foreign language study and technical education. Each segment runs for 6 or 7 weeks.
Brandon was involved in , the district's service learning program, and took part in several projects.
“I learned to help people without being asked,” he said. “We picked up litter around school, collected mittens and hats for those in need and brought shoes for the man who drills wells in Africa.”
Brandon’s mom, Angela, is involved in volunteer work for Stray Rescue, so she organized a student trip to the puppy room at the shelter. Brandon and his classmates did three hours of community service, petting, walking and cleaning up after the puppies.
At home, Brandon has two dogs, Freedom and Duke, that he helps take care of on a daily basis.
When he is just relaxing, Brandon likes to ride bikes with his dad, or visit for some hot wings.
