Bellevue Patch Whiz Kid: Theater Helps Shy Teen Become Leader

Name: Yurika Hurada

School: Newport High School

Accomplishment: Yurika Harada is one of the stars of the program, having gone from being a shy girl to a member of the program’s Teen Advisory Board.

Keys To Awesomeness: Bellevue Youth Theatre director James McLain says 14-year-old Hurada was “one of the more shy girls who came into the program,” but a true lover of theater. In addition to acting, she loves running the lights for shows, and has really blossomed, he says.

He became even more impressed with Hurada when he was choosing participants to join a teen advisory board for the theater.

“Yurika came up and said, ‘I know you’re going to pick who you want, but why don’t you pick people whose voices we don’t usually hear?’” McLain says. Her insights on the board have been valuable ever since, he says.

Do you know a kid or a program that everyone in Bellevue should know about Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to venice.buhain@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's Email
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's Age
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you about getting a photo of the young person or team. For questions, email venice.buhain@patch.com.