Aiden Johnson
Residence: Valparaiso, Indiana
Education: 5th Grade
Toy they can’t live without: Animal Crossing: New Horizon for Nintendo Switch
The most senior member of our list, Aiden Johnson, took the 5th grade by storm with his realistic drawings of teachers crossed with animals, or “Aiden-morphs™” as he’s calling them. More than just a way to get some laughs and pass the time, Aiden is selling his drawings to his classmates for a dollar a pop. Now that’s one entrepreneurial youngster!
Mason Hampstead
Residence: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Education: 1st Grade
Toy they can’t live without: Lego Ninjago Playset
Fresh off his first season in little league, Mason Hampstead finds himself one of the preeminent names in the Western Michigan coach-pitch circuit. Hammering the ball all over the infield and only crying a handful times, 2021 was truly a breakout season for Mason. And the best part is, his dad just bought him a brand new blue glove for next year.
Lil’ Chloe McLaren
Residence: Geneva, Illinois
Education: 3rd grade
Toy they can’t live without: Anything horse related
If you look up the word “perseverance” in a modern dictionary, odds are you’ll see a photo of Chloe McLaren somewhere nearby. Upon moving from Sycamore, Illinois, to nearby Geneva, Chloe carved out a whole new identity for herself in her new school as the small girl! Finally owning her diminutive stature, Chloe, now simply known as “Lil,” is in the midst of a glow-up unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
Caden Boyer
Residence: Hermon, Maine
Education: 2nd grade
Toy they can’t live without: His keychain collection
While Michael Jackson may be marred in controversy for the remainder of time immemorial, young Caden Boyer assuredly is not. Upon learning from his older brother, Dave, how to do the Moonwalk, Caden has gone from shy wallflower to the undisputed king of his class. Going so far as to Moonwalk to the pencil sharpener, the bathroom, and somewhat impractically, when selecting a seat on the bus, Caden Boyer’s antics will have you wondering if this young boy really might have the power to “heal the world.”
Bryan Glover
Residence: Binghamton, New York
Education: 4th grade
Toy they can’t live without: Harry Potter Magic Wand from Universal Studios
Upon transitioning from 3rd to 4th grade, Bryan Glover was presented with an ultimatum: either help your father pick up the pinecones that have accumulated in the front yard or give up use of the television indefinitely. Bryan, ever the enterprising young man, came up with a mutually beneficial solution. For every pinecone that he picks up, he gets one minute of television time per evening. Being the suckers that they are, Bryan’s parents accepted the deal without delay. We look forward to seeing more of Bryan’s harsh negotiating skills in 2022 and beyond.
Madelyn Armstrong
Residence: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Education: Kindergarten
Toy they can’t live without: Hess Truck Set
William Shakespeare once said “be not afraid of greatness, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” When it comes to five year old Madelyn Armstong and her end of the semester self-portrait for art class, all three are most certainly true. Not only did her picture more closely resemble a human being than any other child’s in the class, but she and her best friend Jamie drew themselves in the same shirt! Move over Grant Wood, Iowa’s got a hot new artist on the scene!
Kevin “Tater Tot” Malloy
Residence: Bellingham, Washington
Education: Pre-K
Toy they can’t live without: Whatever toy his older sister is playing with at a given moment is his favorite
This past year was a significant one for three year old Kevin Malloy. Not only did he learn to catch a ball (sort of), but he also started sorting objects by size and color. What a game changer! And what’s more, he had tater tots for the first time. When one talks of disruptors, one cannot help but mention the name Kevin Malloy.
Matthew “Matty” James
Residence: Kat...
