by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Brandon Zimmer enjoys the challenge of running in 5k events. He started running in them when he was 10 years old. The first one he ran was the Earth Day 5k in 2013, when he signed up to run with his brother, Maison, and his mother, Kristi Zimmer.
He trained for about a month before the 2013 5k and was able to complete the run. Zimmer said he looks forward to running in them because they give him something to strive for. His usual run time is between 30-35 minutes, but he said it takes him a little longer if he is running with his mother.
Zimmer is the 12-year-old son of Randy and Kristi Zimmer and is in sixth grade at Kennedy Community School. He has three siblings – Riley, 16, Maison, 14, and twin sister Lindsey, 12.
Fun Facts about Zimmer:
Favorite subject:
“Math because it has always come easy to me,” Zimmer said.
Activities he is involved with:
Zimmer has been involved in many activities, including student council, Math Masters, Knowledge Bowl, U.S. Academic Triathlon, orchestra, Boy Scouts, baseball and golf lessons.
Favorite leisure activity: Hanging out with friends and building Legos.
“I also enjoy running in 5k events,” Zimmer said. “My favorite was running the Color Vibe 5k.
Favorite movie: The Lego Movie
“It’s hilarious and I enjoy the plot,” he said.
Favorite restaurant:
“Howie’s in St. Stephen,” Zimmer said. “I love the pizza called ‘The Zimmeroni.’ Plus Howie is my uncle.”
Favorite food: Shrimp
Favorite thing he likes to help other people do:
“I like when the Boy Scouts have their food drive and we bring it all to the food shelf in St. Joe,” he said. “It’s a fun day.”
What is one of the hardest obstacles he has had to overcome in the school environment?
“All the testing we have to do in the spring,” Zimmer said.
Has he ever witnessed bullying at school?
Zimmer said he has been very lucky and has never seen bullying at school.
Favorite organization at school?
“I play the bass,” he said. “It’s fun to play the music. This year we went on tour and played at a nursing home and then went out for pizza.”
Does he have a favorite teacher that has influenced him?
Zimmer said all his teachers have inspired him to do his best.
Favorite technology device? ipad
He said it’s easy to use and there are a ton of apps he can use with it. Zimmer said he likes using technology in school because it makes finding information so much easier.
What social media options does he use? None
What does he like most about his school?
“Everyone there is so friendly and helpful,” he said.
What does he think the biggest challenge students face today is? Asking for help
What he wants to do when he graduates:
Zimmer said he definitely plans to attend college and possibly study engineering.
If he could change something what would it be? Eliminate world hunger
If he won a large amount of money what would he do with it?
He would keep some and then donate some to the food shelf.
Something unique about himself:
“I am a twin and I like to collect Bobble Heads,” he said.
An experience he enjoyed in St. Joseph:
“I was helping the St. Joe Rec clean Millstream Park and I found an unused movie ticket,” Zimmer said.
What he likes best about St. Joseph:
“It’s a calm place to live and I have a lot of friends and family here,” he said.
Brandon Zimmer enjoys running in 5K events. He is shown here after the 2014 Color Vibe 5K, which he said has been his favorite 5K event so far.
