Whiz Kid: Ava Zahler Models, Acts, Competes and Volunteers

This week's Whiz Kid comes to us from Mary Lynne Zahler, mother of Ava Zahler.

• Ava Zahler, 3.
• Ava lives in North Canton, but attends Calico Preschool in Tallmadge because it's where her dad works.

So, are you ready to hear Ava's accomplishments? Get ready because for a 3-year-old she has a pretty impressive resume.

Ava started modeling professionally at 1. Her first job was for Little Tikes and she has not stopped working regularly since. 

She was a Star Walker at age 2 in the American Heart Association's annual 2010 Heart Walk for raising more than $1,000. She's participating again this year and trying to raise at least $1,000.

Ava loves animals  and has been involved in animal rescues and stray cat care. Every single night, Ava and her parents take care of several local stray cats.

Ava ran in her first road race this year at the Akron Children’s Hospital annual Kids' Run. But, she ran her first actual mile non-stop at 2, Mary Lynne said.

She started ice skating at 1 and takes lessons at Center Ice in Canton.

Jim Thomas, a recently retired tennis touring professional, started giving her toddler tennis lessons at 2 years old at the Hall of Fame in Canton.

Ava also takes ballet, gymnastics, swimming and pony riding. (Oh, and she could even show you how to do downward facing dog, the yoga pose, before she was 1).

She won the Akron Family Magazine's Cover Kid Contest in January and was selected as an extra for the movie 25 Hill. (Does this sound famaliar? Our local Soap Box Derby champ, , was also an extra in the 25 Hill). 

The  did a story on Ava for their newsletter when they found out she was the model in their new YMCA campaign materials and promotional pictures that they already had been using from their national offices. They had been using her pictures in ads, but didn't know that she was an actual member from their own Y right here in North Canton, Mary Lynne said.

“Ava’s Dad and I are both very proud of her for many reasons but mainly because she is a kind little girl and that is what matters," Mary Lynne said. "We want to teach her to be nice to and gentle with all creatures, both humans and nonhumans alike, but especially to those who are most vulnerable, and she already tries so hard to do that even at her young age. She is a healthy, happy child (most of the time!) and what more can a parent ask for? We feel so blessed to have her in our lives!”