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Community Corner

Fifth-Grader is a Budding Mathlete—and Student at Johns Hopkins University

Also: Marching band extravaganza and chatting online with your financial institution

Math is rarely a grade-schooler's favorite subject, but Thomas Bradvica is an exception to the rule. The La Mesa Dale fifth-grader has been attending math classes one to two years above his grade level since he was a wee first-grader. Bradvica's mad math skills are starting to pay off. This summer he attended the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth and left with the distinction of having been among the highest scoring students in the program.

Bradvica's mom, Carolyn Bradvica, a special education teacher at Spring Valley Middle School, said he continues to amaze the family. "Math is his thing," she said. This is what he wants to do." Bradvica's talents may be genetic; his dad, Andy, has a math degree. "It's definitely in the family," Carolyn said.

Family is key to Bradvica's success. His very dedicated grandmother, Elizabeth Commans, dutifully picks him up every day from La Mesa Dale to take him to La Mesa Middle School for algebra. Carolyn said the school district's support has been overwhelming. "We're just so grateful that La Mesa-Spring Valley District has supported Thomas in this achievement," she said.

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A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC: Grossmont and Helix Charter High Schools will be marching Tuesday with the sounds of local high school bands, performing at the Grossmont Union High School District Fall Showcase. Held at Monte Vista High School Stadium, the first marching band performance begins at 6 p.m. and runs until the 9 p.m. grand finale, featuring a mass band performance on the field. The SDSU Marching Aztecs will be make an appearance as well. Admission is a suggested $8 at the gate, but children up through fifth grade get in free. Elementary and middle school students who are in band also get in free with a school ID or letter from their band director.

TALKING FINANCE: Tired of surfing the Net for no reason at work? Bored with Perez Hilton and endless searches for "kitten trying to stay awake"? If you're a member of the San Diego County Credit Union—which has a branch office in La Mesa—take advantage of sitting in front of a computer all day by getting your finances in order and texting all issues and questions to a live customer service representative. The SDCCU Information Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The only question Town Pulse has is why there never seems to be any money in the account.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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