Page 31 - Final Inspirational Women Issue

INCREDIBLE KIDS OF SAN DIEGO

laire Brynne Lewis is an A Girl Prodigy
Camazing young lady who
graduated from Pathways
Academy High School and By Kiriann Booth
Palomar College at 13, the
youngest graduate from Palo- award were, at 9 years old she a dance similar to tap. She
mar ever. Along with being wanted to learn faster so she had decided to do this when
a very intelligent girl, she is talked to her parents about she needed more activities
very talented on the piano home schooling. At the age for PE., but soon found, the
and 6 other instruments. Be- of 10 she proceeded to join dance was fun and that she
sides piano, her favorite, she Pathways Academy for home really enjoyed it.
also plays, violin, guitar, flute, school students. There she For the months she has
clarinet, ukulele, and the took Government, Econom- been applying to colleges.
cello. When I asked her who, ics and English. Besides her She has been invited to three
or what, inspired her to start classes at Pathways, she took very prestigious colleges to
playing piano? She said, “Lit- classes in Calculus, advanced audition and attempt to get
tle Einsteins TV program.” History, Geography, and Ge- accepted. These colleges are
When she was about 6 years ology, at Palomar. One thing US C, Curtis Institute of
old. She started to play, “Für that her first professor, An- Music, in \Philadelphia, and
Elise”, one of the songs from nette Squires, noticed about Boston Conservatory.
an episode, of Little Einsteins Claire was, her feet could not The director of Pathways, Photos courtesy of Claire
on the piano by listening to touch the floor while sitting Carol McIntosh, helped Brynne Lewis
the song a little, pausing the in class. The city council of Claire and her Mom when
program, and attempting to San Marcos also gave her an she first started home-school two Orchestras, San Diego
find the notes on the piano. achievement award. Claire toward the right direction Civic Youth, and Palomar
She continued to memorize has received several awards and helped them choose College Symphony Orchestra.
it by ear. Soon she found performing in Musical com- classes for Claire. Claire’s She volunteers teaching in
she could play the complete petitions. Mom said. “I could not have San Marcos Youth Strings,
song by ear, even though she When we went to her done this without Carol serving as Vice President.
couldn’t read music. Claire, expressed to me
In 2014, I met Claire that when she graduates from
at school on my first day. college she would love to be-
She was in my first class, come an Orchestral Conduc-
and we were partners in an tor. She seemed very definite
assignment for making a on this decision.
marble track out of foam, For those young and
dominoes, and marble. We upcoming musicians, the San
soon became good friends Marcos Youth Strings, is a
and enjoyed talking about a great program. Claire would
great many things. Claire is like to promote this program,
very modest and did not hint that meets at the Gateway
to the fact she was smarter Church on Fridays from 4-6.
then most, in anyway. I was This is a great opportunity
quite surprised to find out for children that want to start
she graduated so fast. I didn’t playing a string instrument or
find out until a few months one who wants to be able to
ago that she had graduated in house for the interview she holding my hand and guiding practice and learn more in an
May of 2017. gladly played piano for us. It us in the right direction with orchestra setting.
Claire has earned many was very lovely, my grandma, regards to furthering Claire’s As you see, Claire is
awards in her life so far. She who was with me said,” I got education.” Claire, has been truly a Child Prodigy, besides
received a County of San goose pumps just listening certified as a tutor, and at the being a really good friend.
Diego California Proclama- to her and watching how moment while waiting to be It is not everyday that one
tion award, given to her by passionate she was when she accepted to a college, has a meets someone as special in
Bill Horn, the supervisor played.” Other than piano job tutoring students at Palo- so many ways as Claire, and
of San Diego. Some of the she informed me her favor- mar in Calculus 1. Besides also lucky enough to call her
things proclaimed in the ite past time was Clogging, Tutoring, she also plays in my friend, too!

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