Madison Whiz Kid: Sophie Marnin

Name:  Sophie Marnin

Age:  9 ½

School:  Homeschooled

Accomplishments:  Sophie is a member of “One Fish, Two Fish,” a homeschool study group that was named one of 10 winners of a national award from USA Weekend magazine’s Make A Difference Day, an annual national day of volunteering.

Sophie’s study group held an “almost sleepover” recently and collected brand new pajamas for children at New Haven-based Life Haven. They also painted ornaments for The Grimes Health Center at the Hospital of St. Raphael,  and made cookies-in-a-jar mixes for Guilford senior citizens.  Sophie’s study group partners include Willow and Rosalie Coleman, Marlah Hohlfelder, Addie and Delaney Kenney, and Isabel Kessler. In total, 40 children gathered together for this charitable evening.

Key to Awesomeness:   Sophie and her friends found a way to have a fun evening, while at the same giving back to the community.  “We felt great because we were helping ... while we were having fun.”  The girls were able to see firsthand who was benefitting from their kindness.  “We all went down to Life Haven and donated the pajamas ourselves,” Sophie says.  “It was great. That place is great.”

 And how did Life Haven react to their generosity? “They were SO happy!” says Sophie. 

Sophie felt a real connection to this project because “it’s not like donating your money to someplace that you don’t know where it is and you don’t know who’s there.” 

“The message that we’re trying to all send to every kid is that anyone can do it and you don’t have to be a particular age, you can just do it … to help and change the world!”