Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Maxwell Freitas, 14

School: Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park 

Accomplishments: Max's essay about John Adam's legacy that he submitted to the Middlesex County Law Day competition this month earned him a top 10 placement among some 540 students. The eighth grader will also receive the superintendent's award this Wednesday. 

How he did it: Maxwell, a straight-A student, said his parents and older brother have always encouraged him to excel in school. His brother, who Max said won several scholarships at the high school's recent scholarship night, set an example of academic excellence. 

"He's been the guy I've looked up to my whole life," he said. 

English teacher Nancy Kun described Max as an articulate, motivated and talented student who is modest about his academic achievements. She said he was eager to enter the competition, researching and writing the essay in a weekend. 

"He very clearly understood and analyzed what was a complicated and specific topic," she said. 

Max said he learned how John Adams made a case for British soldiers who had killed civilians in the Boston Massacre and how that act served as a precedent for trying Guantanamo Bay detainees. 

"Everyone deserves their chance to be defended," he said. 

Though Max stood out for his understanding of history and law, his specialties are math and computers. Max participates in student council and recently used his technical knowledge to put together the yearbook through an online service. He knows graphic design from watching YouTube videos, applies his computer skills at his church and aspires to become an engineer for Apple.