Whiz Kid of the Week: Kai Rice

Name: Kai Rice

Age: 13 

School:  Westland Middle School    

Accomplishment: This spring, Kai Rice established the first student fishing club in Maryland. Sanctioned by the Westland PTA, the club meets to plan fishing outings, talk to professional anglers and participate in trips and tournaments. All fishing trips are catch and release, except for tournaments which require an official weigh-in.

 “In our first ever tournament, we fielded a tournament team,” said Kai in a recent interview. “Westland's Elliot Ginns was the overall children's division winner of the 30th Annual Rod ‘N’ Reel Pro/Am Fishing Tournament on the Chesapeake Bay with a huge 32.64 pound Rockfish.  He won $500 is savings bonds and bragging rights for the year!  We were all so excited.”

Kai has loved fishing for years, but didn’t plan to establish a club this year. “We wanted him to join at least one after school program,” said Dana Rice, Kai’s mother.  “He was resistant to the traditional clubs offered; he declared that he was most enthusiastic about fishing and that if there was a fishing club, he'd join that. There was a pregnant pause in the air ... sort of a stand-off between us... and I said that he should just make it so. The more he researched, the more enthusiastic he became about making it a reality. Fishing clubs are very big programs in rural areas of the country, but not so much in urban areas.” 

Reason for Awesomeness: Kai is pleased with the success of the club – it has 15 members and plans to recruit more, as well as raise money for additional trips next year. “Kids are craving this type of activity,” said Kai. “It is fun, gets everyone outdoors, there is no homework or daily practice. It’s a great way to spend the day.”

The club has partnered with The Bass Federation Student Angler program and hopes to field a tournament team in next year's world finals.  Kai is planning one event each month, including speakers from eco-friendly organizations, a conservation volunteer event and, of course, fishing.

Kai’s hard work in establishing the club has helped him learn an important lesson. “If you really like to do something, like fishing, there is no reason you can't find time for it,” he says. “One of the professional anglers showed us a portable fishing rod and carrying case that he takes everywhere with him –even to work- because you never know when you'll come across a great fishing hole. So be prepared.”

Key to Awesomeness: Kai and his family worked together for months to set up the club. They had to manage student expectations and build support from parents. “The kids are so enthusiastic,” said Dana, “that I had to make sure we got it off the ground.”

“To me, it's not how many students joined or how many fishing trips they took this year; it's all about starting something from nothing.  That's really hard,” said Dana. “So many people have ideas, but real success comes to those who put themselves on the line and do something about it.  As parents, we are especially proud that Kai went out on a limb without regard of what people thought about him or if students would join.  That takes some guts in middle school.”