Teen Volunteer Believes in Giving Back to the Community

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree.

Each week, Menomonee Falls Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments.

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 Editor Carl Engelking.

Let's kick things off with our first Patch Whiz Kid:

Whiz Kid: Demitri Panagiotopoulos, 16

School: Menomonee Falls High School

Accomplishment: Demitri serves as president of the teen volunteer group known as NIFTY (New Ideas From The Youth.) 

Key to Awesomeness: Demitri loves to be involved with NIFTY.  Serving as president of the community volunteer group for the past four years, Demitri helps run their meetings, organizes projects and events, and develops new volunteer ideas for the group. But if you ask the other members, one of Demitri's most appreciated tasks is supplying treats for the monthly meetings.

Demitri and the other student volunteers help out with many community events, such as running the children’s games during Chilly Fest, selling bakery items during the fishing derby, and helping with Hoop It Up every March.  They also collect personal care items to make gift bags for the woman’s shelter of Waukesha during the holidays.

When asked what is his favorite part of being involved with NIFTY, Demitri said: “The memories.  Because it’s just really fun.”