Local teen phenoms make 'impressive' list

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The accolades continue to roll in for Sarasota teenage prodigy Brittany Wenger, winner of the Google Science Fair last summer.

The latest: Wenger, a recent Out-of-Door Academy graduate was named one of “the 25 most impressive kids graduating high school this year,” by Business Insider, a business and technology news website. Wenger, who created computer-based programs and networks that help doctors diagnose caner, was joined on the list by Tampa teen Jacob Rice. A Berkeley Prep graduate, Rice started a nonprofit, Shoe Giver of Tampa, when he was 10.

Other students on the nationwide list include U.S. Olympians Missy Franklin and Jordyn Wieber, who both won gold medals last summer.

Wenger, meanwhile, continues to work on her artificial neural network, a computer brain that aids doctors in diagnosing breast cancer. A neural network like Wenger's, one that's fed data on a scientific basis, can learn, improve, and even analyze complex equations.  Wenger has traveled across the world giving speeches and presentations on her program. She plans to attend Duke University in the fall, according to Business Insider, and wants to become a pediatric oncologist.