Whiz Kid: Dennis Averin

Swampscott High junior Dennis Averin has traveled broadly, much of it inspired by his connection to the natural world and conservation.

That connection began at a young age on hikes with his father in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

And it has continued.

This past summer he joined students from Texas, Ohio and New Hampshire on an internship in Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.

They slept in tents and rose early for days of swinging pickaxes, shoveling earth and marking trails — protecting critical environments from the trampling feet of lost travelers.

The national park is home to river canyons, desert and ancient stone formations. Deer and small mammals roam the territory. They saw a bear.

"It was beautiful," said Averin.

Two years ago he climbed the highest peak in Europe, Mt. Elbrus, in Russia, 18,510 feet.

His travels have taken him to Israel, where he has explored his Jewish identity with other North Shore young people.

The teenager has lived in the United States since he was a young child and moved here with his mom and dad from Odessa, Ukraine.

While he has traveled broadly, he also pays close attention to his surroundings wherever they may be.

That might be smelling the clean fresh smell after a light rain in Swampscott or smelling a flower or plant on his walk home from school.

His interest in the natural world and science extend to the classroom where he enjoys studying chemistry and biology. 

He is a diver, too, and explores shipwrecks and marine life including skates, crustaceans and fish.

In the water or on land he appreciates the natural state and does not like to see it dirtied. 

"I don't like seeing trash anywhere, it annoys me," he said.

Not everything is centered around travel and the environment.

He likes cars and rally racing. A favorite car is the Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

"They are not eco-friendly," he admits.

Still, for him, conservation is king.

"I love anything to do with conservation," he said.