Happening Kid: Madeleine Grunde-McLaughlin brought to you by the NAC

Move over Fierce Five! The month, the spotlight is on 14 year old Happening Kid Madeleine Grunde-McLaughlin of Newtown, PA. Madeleine's athleticism, smarts, and musical talent make for a perfect ten!

BH: We hear you are a fantastic gymnast! What types of extracurricular activities do you participate in?

MGM: I primarily do gymnastics with the team at the NAC, where I also coach younger gymnasts. Additionally, I help as an assistant coach for the Odyssey of the Mind program in Goodnoe Elementary school. I play viola in my school's orchestra and am a member of French Club.

BH: Fantastique!

And how about when you're in school? You hold quite the record for receiving “Student of the Month” awards! What types of classes do you take and what do you enjoy learning about the most?

MGM: I currently hold above a 4.0 GPA in all honors classes at Council Rock High School North. In middle school, I was awarded Student of the Month in both 7th and 8th grade. At the end of middle school, I was one of the three girls selected as the female recipients of the overall Team Award. Just recently, I was December's French Student of the Month at North. My favorite school subject, though, is science because I like to understand how the world works.

As a member of the NAC silver level gymnastics team, last year Madeleine placed all-around third in her age and level in the USAIGC State Championship, as well as third on balance beam and fourth on floor in the USAIGC National Individual Events Championship.

BH: It's great that you still find time to give back amidst your busy academic and extracurricular schedule! What types of service activities have you participated in?

MGM: I have been a girl scout since kindergarten, where I have earned my Bronze and Silver Awards. For our Bronze Award, my troop donated generous amounts of food to the Penndel Food Pantry along with planting and maintaining a vegetable garden at their facilities. For our Silver Award, my friend and I fundraised, gathered volunteers, and sought materials from area businesses and nonprofits to improve Brian Gregg Memorial Park in Newtown. We did this by scraping, sanding, priming and painting the chipping benches and picnic tables, and tilling and planting native perennial flowers in a 28-foot long quarter-circle garden with wood-chip pathways. Then, in the center of the garden we designed and placed an educational sign informing people about the benefits of native plants in the environment.

BH: When it's time to celebrate one of these amazing achievements, where is your absolute favorite local place to go?

MGM: I love to go to the Zebra Striped Whale with my friends. The ice cream is delicious and the store has a comfortable environment.

BH: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration?

MGM: I am inspired by Olympian Aly Raisman because of her incredible work ethic and determination.

BH: Last but not least, what do you want to be when you grow up?

MGM: I don’t know specifically, but I enjoy working with kids, so I will probably do something in the educational or child development fields.

BH: I'm sure that whatever you do, it will be done with excellence. Congratulations!

This month’s Bucks County Happening Kid was brought to you by the Newtown Athletic Club. In addition to a state of the art wellness facility, the NAC offers a variety of popular youth programs include Dance, Aquatics, Tae Kwon Do, Camps, Gymnastics, KidFit, & Bucks County birthday parties.