Whiz Kid of the Week: Callista Coffey

Callista Coffey

Whiz Kid’s School: Lorton Station Elementary School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments:  Runs all tech equipment for the Christ Church Director of Kids Ministries, makes wonderful grades, active Girl Scout.

Callista Coffey may only be a sixth grade student, but that hasn’t stopped her from learning every detail of the complicated technology system at Christ Church in Fairfax Station.  She runs the sound board, handles all video clips, operates slides, imports songs, runs lyrics, sets up television screens and even does mic checks.

“She has to be multitasking at all times,” said Director of Kids Ministries Pamela Kipps.  “Anticipating my needs is what she’s so good at.”

Kipps said most churches use adult volunteers to run technology and Christ Church used to use high school students, but that all changed when Callista stepped up to the plate.

“I just kind of noticed in Callista an ability and a sense of responsibility,” Kipps said. “She seemed to have natural instincts and just took it on.  It became a sixth grade program because of her.  She proved that they have abilities that often surpass the adults.”

This past year was Kipps’ first in her position at Christ Church and she said Callista’s dedication allowed her to relax and prioritize.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without her!” Kipps laughed while looking ahead to next year.  “She allowed me to kind of focus on the faith based side in my first year of ministry.”

Callista shrugs off the accolades with humility.

“Once you learn it the first time, it’s pretty easy,” she said, referencing her complicated tech responsibilities.

 Aside from the difficult tasks she’s charged with, Callista volunteers a significant amount of time as well.

“She’s dedicated. She’s been at every service.  She also helps me with a midweek faith based class for kids called Boost,” Kipps said.  “Twice a week, she’s been a rock.”

Callista says service work is just a part of who she is.

“It really helps me because volunteering is just giving back to your community and it’s really important to do that,” she said.

She’s also an involved Girl Scout; she works with a younger “Daisy” troop regularly.  She also volunteers at Christ Church’s Vacation Bible School during the summer.  She’s a good student and loves to race mountain bikes, and at the end of the day, it looks like her tech leanings may serve her in college and during her career.

“I like math and science,” Callista said. “I’m most likely going to do something with that.”