Young Achiever profile

Chandler Dalton likes creativity, service

Eleven-year-old Chandler Dalton's accomplishments both in school and outside usually show his interest in finding creative solutions. That creativity helped Chandler earn one of 10 2007 Gateway Young Achievers of the Year awards.

Chandler Dalton

This year, his First Lego League team earned second place overall in the state robotics meet at Florissant Valley Community College. Their skit during the meet earned them the "most creative presentation" award.

The skit was a parody to show how characters in the "The Wizard of Oz" would have been "helped with a little technology."

Chandler of Mason Ridge Elementary School co-wrote the skit. He said, "The scarecrow got a new eye with a brain attached. The TinMan got a medicine bomb that cured his cancer. And the Lion got a coating of liquid armor to make up for his lack of courage."

He explained his TinMan was suffering from cancer, not rust as in the original play.

Chandler (l) and Jay Adamitus disply Lego tournament trophy

As a member of the Mason Ridge Leadership Council this last school year, Chandler also chaired the UNICEF committee. That sub-group exceeded its fund-raising goal by 30 per cent, raising $300 more than the drive's original goal.

He said, "I like the UNICEF drive because the instructions told exactly what each dollar would buy for the children it serves."

He has been on the Leadership Council for four years at Mason Ridge.

Chandler was a member of the Mason Ridge Live performance group that put on dances or skits during the all-school talent show. This year, their skit was based on the TV show, "Deal or No Deal."

"Our skit featured all the things that could go wrong in the show," he said.

Of course, not all of Chandler's accomplishments featured "fun stuff."

For instance, he's been in the Mason Ridge Elementary School's gifted program ever since first grade. Accelerated students go to gifted classes one day a week at Mason Ridge.

In addition to studying subjects in greater depth, the kids learn extra skills. One emphasis is on learning how to prepare and present reports on special subjects.

Chandler said his end-of-year presentation was on the subject of cloning. His power-point presentation included 21 different reasons against human cloning.

He said, "I'm for many types of cloning but against human cloning."

Another school activity he enjoyed was Equations team. In that activity, kids join together to solve math puzzles. He was the captain of the winning team at a 2005 tournament at Saint Louis University.

Chandler has been active in both baseball and soccer from kindergarten to 5th grade. He plays second base and catcher in baseball and a variety of positions in soccer. Both of his teams are associated with St. Anselm Church.

He said his soccer team has only lost three games during the six years he's competed.

Chandler also served as a statistics runner for the last two years at the Eric Lewis Memorial Wrestling Tournament at MICDS. He is transferring to MICDS next fall where he'll be a 6th grader.

He's also been active in instrumental music. As a 3rd grader in the Parkway School District, he was required to take violin. But, he said he shifted to the cello for 4th and 5th grade.

"I thought the violin notes were too high and squeaky. The cello's notes are lower on the scale," he said.

Chandler was active in the Future Mason Ridge Student Guide program and had a "kindergarten buddy."

In the Student Guide program, he helped guide pre-schoolers and their parents during their first visits to the school. In addition to showing them around the school, the student guides also read books to the youngsters and help them with crafts.

In the "kindergarten buddy" activity, Chandler was paired with a kindergartener. "We help them get used to school," he said. This year, his young friend was Ahmid Rehmani.

"We'd do something with them at least once every two weeks," Chandler said. One of the activities was to accompany his "buddy" on a trip to the St. Louis Zoo.

Chandler said he's considering a career as a lawyer when he grows up. His father, Jonathan, is a lawyer and also mayor of Town and Country.