Amazing Kids! is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit, charitable organization and an online magazine by and for kids, both of which are dedicated to inspiring excellence in children. Amazing Kids! is a project of
Community Partners, and is based out of California with a network of volunteers around the globe. Founded by President Alyse Rome in 1998, Amazing Kids! upholds the truth that every child has the potential to be an Amazing Kid in their own way. Through the realization of this potential, we believe children will be inspired to live more productive and satisfying lives.
Amazing Kids! was founded to bring out the "Amazing-ness" in children, nurturing their unique talents by including access to a mentor, and inspiring them to pursue excellence in everything they do. We offer children a selection of quality educational programs, including the Amazing Kids! online magazine, which not only gives children a place to see their works published, but also a chance to read and be inspired by the works of others their age. Amazing Kids! provides a fun, educational challenge for kids and teens of all ages, allowing them to have an inspiring literary experience full of encouraging, quality articles and columns.
If you'd like to see us continue to touch the lives of children, please consider giving today. Together, we can help even more children realize their amazing potential throughout the coming months and years.
Alyse Rome, Founder and President of Amazing Kids!, set out to make Amazing Kids! a positive, alternative voice for kids in 1998, and to this day, Amazing Kids! tells kids that they, too, have the potential to accomplish "amazing things."
Alyse graduated with high honors and a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Cal State University Fullerton, and from University of California, Irvine, where she received a Paul Douglas scholarship and her teaching credentials. She received a fellowship from Boston University for her graduate studies in International Relations and International Communications. A former award-winning actress and champion fencer, Alyse ranked 2nd individually in the Southern California Intercollegiate Fencing Conference and lead her team at CSUF to a first place victory. She is a published writer, as well. Before founding Amazing Kids! in 1998, Alyse was a marketing executive in the software industry; prior to that, Alyse was an elementary school teacher in Orange County, California.
Alyse, her husband and their own "amazing kid" live in Greater Seattle, Washington.
Jenny Ritner, Database Manager for the Amazing Kids! PenPals program
Shamala Pulugurtha, A.K.O.M. Writer and Researcher, is a researcher/writer for the Amazing Kids! of the Month stories and has volunteered with Amazing Kids! since 2007. A freelance website content and grant writer, Shamala is associated with several non-profits. She is originally from India and has a masters degree in Microbiology. Currently, she lives in California with her husband and a three year old son.
Rachael Meinhold, Amazing Kids! PenPals Manager, Rachael has been the Manager for the Amazing Kids! PenPal Program since August, 2008. "I got involved with Amazing KIds! because I was so excited to find a program like the one we had when I was younger. To be able to offer this benefit to my children, the endless possibilities to learn about other countries and cultures first hand, as well as gaining the opportunity to make a lifelong friend is a wonderful experience that every child should encounter!" Rachael goes to college full-time and volunteers actively in her children's elementary school. She lives in Delaware with her husband and her three children.
Braxton, Amazing Kids! Webmaster, has been a computer specialist since the age of 12. He has been volunteering for Amazing Kids! for over 3 years. He has volunteered for a professional corporation's I.T. department and frequently finds himself fixing computers, digital cameras, and just about anything else electronic that doesn't work. He is grateful for the talent he's been given.
Brittany, Editor-in-Chief, loves reading, writing, art, and swimming. She's been writing books and poems since 3rd grade, and she's thankful for all the wonderful help and support she's been given. She mostly writes mystery and adventure manuscripts for young adults, but she's also written a few picture books and poems. Her dream future career: a pediatrician!
Sean Traynor, Assistant Editor, is in 9th grade, looking forward to high school. He loves reading, writing, art and karate. He has won several writing and art contests and always has a notepad in hand to sketch his latest creation. He enjoys futuristic fiction and creates worlds not yet imagined. His latest addiction is texting on his new phone and listening to music. If you need a protector, Sean is a Certified Black Belt.
Natalie B., Junior Assistant Editor, is a peppy, fun-loving girl who is always up for an adventure. She absolutely ADORES pandas and wants to work with them when she grows up. She loves to cook and try different things. "My favorite food is sushi," Natalie says. "I also love spending time with my family and friends. My hobbies are band (I play the trumpet with one of my best friends!), drama, playing piano, newspaper [editing/writing], and gymnastics/cheerleading."
Angel Chen, L.O.L. Humor Column Editor, is a high school freshman who lives in Canada. She loves reading, writing, and sketching. She also loves reading old classics, such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare, and "The Iliad" by Homer. She likes to write short stories and persuasive essays. She plays the piano and the violin, and she loves winter sports, such as tubing and skiing.
Ioana Ciora, Art Editor, is an amazing young artist from Romania who is passionate and dedicated, and has won numerous international awards for her artwork.
