With experiences under his belt like representing the U.S.A. in the Pan Am fencing tournament in Mexico and living in Finland for a month in an effort to inspire world peace, it's hard to believe that Owen McKenna is just 11 years old.
Owen, a student at Germantown Academy and fencer at the Bucks County Academy of Fencing, is December's “Happening Kid” of the month. We were honored to get the chance to ask him a few questions about his impressive experiences and aspirations for the future:
BH: What is your favorite subject?
OM: My favorite subject is history.
BH: How did you begin fencing & what do you like about it?
OM: When I was very little I loved movies about knights and sword fighting. When I found out there was sport with swords in it, I wanted to try it. I finally got to start fencing when I was 6. I love everything about fencing but especially that it is both a mental and physical sport.
BH: How did it feel to represent America at the Pan Am tournament in Mexico?
OM: I was very proud, but I was also a little nervous. When I won my first match, I began to settle down and enjoy it. The coolest thing happened when I made the final 8 fencers. All of us got to stand on a raised fencing strip and the crowd cheered for all of us. At that time I felt that all of my hard work was beginning to pay off.
BH: You had the amazing opportunity to spend 28 days in Finland last summer as part of the Children’s International Summer Village. What was it like to explore a foreign country and spend time with kids from so many different backgrounds?
OM: It was really cool. Spending that much time with the other kids helped me to learn more about their cultures than if I had just traveled to their country. I made a lot of friends, we email and facebook all of the time now. I can’t wait to see them again.
BH: What do you want to be when you grow up?
OM: I would really like to fence in college and beyond. I’m not sure what I want to do after that, but I have lots to figure it out.
Photo credit: Christy McKenna
Do you know an outstanding kid from Bucks County? If so, nominate him or her to be highlighted as Happening Kid on BucksHappening.com by emailing info@bucks.happeningmag.com with the subject “Happening Kid.”
We Are Supported By:
Join Our Community. Click here to learn more