Beachwood Patch Whiz Kid of the Week Joseph Zummo

Age: 17

School: Fuchs Mizrachi School

Accomplishment: Named Volunteer of the Month for March at Friendship Circle.

Key to Awesomeness: Joseph Zummo is a busy kid. He’s a junior at Fuchs Mizrachi School, works with the group Write On for Israel, learning how to be an advocate for Israel when he goes to college, and volunteers with NCSY, an organization to teach Jews the value of religion.

But within that schedule, what he loves most is volunteering at Friendship Circle. He was recently named volunteer of the Month for March for all the hours he puts into the organization, which has its local headquarters in South Euclid. The organization brings teenage volunteers together with children with special needs to bond.

"It felt really, really nice,” Joseph said about winning his award. “I was a little bit surprised but also very appreciative. I’ve been involved a while, but many other kids are extremely deserving.”

Joseph volunteers in two programs in Friendship Circle, “Friends At Home,” in which Joseph was assigned a child with special needs when he first started as a freshman and visits with him at least once a week since, and “Teen Scene” where a group of volunteers gather with children with special needs to teach life skills.

“I have a relationship with these kids,” he said. “It’s a pleasure.”