Whiz Kid: Mark Burka

Whiz Kid's Name: Mark Burka

Whiz Kid's Age: 19

Whiz Kid's School: Burka graduated from Robinson Secondary School last year. He's currently a freshman at University of Virginia.

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Burka won a 2011 Graeme Clark Scholarship, which is given to Nucleus cochlear implant recipients around the world on the basis of academic achievement and a commitment to leadership and humanity. The scholarships are named after a professor whose research led to the first implanted "bionic ear" being switched on in 1978 and the first Nucleus implant in 1982.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Burka was born with a malformed inner ear which made him deaf at just nine months old. At age two, he received a Nucleus Cochlear Implant, which he credits with helping him become more outgoing and independent. At Robinson Secondary School, he was the president of the National Honor Society and was active in band, orchestra and drum line. He is currently majoring in accounting with a minor in economics with the hope of becoming a certified public accountant.