valley sun all-star david ‘niko’ baur:
At 9 years old, this week’s C.V. Sun All-Star David “Niko” Baur is charming hearts and challenging himself to excellence as a student and a potential future president of the United States.
“He has high ambitions,” said Lilli Baur, Niko’s mom and Troop No. 314 Cub Scout leader. “I think he’d make a great lawyer,” she added.
Baur said her son is a bright kid, who is outgoing, confident and very talkative.
“I have no worries about him achieving anything in life,” she said, adding that Niko is “quite large in personality.”
Niko is a fourth-grade student at St. James the Less Catholic School.
He recently received special recognition from John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth after earning an above 95% score on the IOWA State Exams. Niko was admitted to the John Hopkins program based on his exceptional performance on a rigorous, above grade level test given to second- through- eighth-grade John Hopkins Talent Search participants, said Tricia Flynn, PTO member and publicity chair at St. James the Less Catholic School.
“[Niko] is a fun, loving kid … who works very hard at keeping his life organized,” Flynn said.
Niko was born in North Hollywood and is the son of David and Lilli Baur of Tujunga. He has three brothers: Ryan, 14, a student at St. Francis High School in La Cañada, Jamison, 11, a sixth grader at St. James, and Caden, 3, who attends Mt. Olive Preschool in La Crescenta.
Niko attended Crossroads School in North Hollywood through first-grade but later moved with his family to Tujunga, and has attended St. James the Less Catholic School since second-grade.
Lenae Silva, Niko’s teacher at St. James, said she and Niko’s third-grade teacher, Teresa Denton have a lot of good things to say about Niko.
“Niko has a great sense of humor and is just a wonder in the classroom. He has a curiosity for learning and is well spoken,” she said, adding, “He’s always thinking and always one step ahead. Theresa Denton and I think he’s just a great child.”
Outside of his studies, Niko enjoys playing flag football and last year was on the winning team for Sunland Parks and Recreation department’s Pee Wee League.
He also likes to spend his free time drawing, reading, playing Legos and doing things outdoors, he said.
When he grows up, Niko said, he is considering several career options, such as business man, teacher, mechanic and President.
“I will just have to wait to see, which one will be right for me when I get closer to that time in my life, he said, adding, “As for right now, I just like being a kid.”
IF YOU’D LIKE TO NOMINATE an exceptional young person to be a Valley Sun All-Star who lives in La Crescenta or is a student here, e-mail cveditorial@valleysun.net.