Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Samira Teixeira, 14

School: East Somerville Community School, at the Cummings building. 

Accomplishment: Samira spent the second half of 7th grade learning about diversity and meeting girls of different ethic backgrounds from the city's public schools. 

How she did it: Every Monday after school, Samira would meet with girls her age to talk about problems that teenagers sometimes face, such as drugs or domestic violence. But they also learned about local history and politics and took field trips to places like The Museum of Science, where they viewed an exhibition on race. 

The Somerville Community Exploration after-school program also included volunteer work. On Valentine's Day, they visited a senior center to bake cookies and do craft projects with the elderly.

And sometimes they indulged in girlish activities, like giving one another facials. 

Samira said she joined the group to meet girls from other public schools in the city and plans to participate again this year. 

In addition, she wants to get involved in the after-school art club that one of her teachers is organizing and with Groundwork Somerville to learn about urban agriculture. 

Somerville Community Exploration meets every Monday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Youth Program, at 165 Broadway. For more information, call Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600, ext. 3314.