Chesco family proud of teen who draws Obama's praise

The 73-year-old Chester County grandmother strained to contain her excitement: Her 14-year-old grandson had been congratulated Tuesday for his scientific prowess by none other than President Obama at the White House.

"This family has been through some hard times," said Marlene Hylak of West Grove. "This just erases some of that."

Indeed. Benjamin Hylak, the whiz-kid son of Bridget Hylak Hooker and Joseph Hooker, both also of West Grove, was named by his late brother, Luke John, who died at age 4 in 1997 of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of cancer.

Before he died, Luke John had been "hounding" his parents for another sibling.

After Bridget Hooker learned that she was pregnant, Luke John chose the name Benjamin and his parents agreed, selecting Bernadette as a backup.

Luke John died before his brother's birth. But his memory infused Marlene Hylak's joy as Benjamin Hylak was feted with other talented teens during the second White House Science Fair.

Benjamin Hylak was invited to the White House after he advanced from the 2011 Delaware Valley Science Fair to a second-place finish in the Broadcom Foundation's MASTERS national competition and excelled at the 2011 Maker Fair in New York.

In an interview Wednesday, Benjamin Hylak credited God and his family for his success - and for putting up with the wires, screws, and electronic equipment that threaten to overrun the home he shares with his parents, older sister Veronica, and younger brother Blaise.

Calling Luke John a "strong presence" in his life, Benjamin Hylak said his robotic project was inspired at least in part by his grandmother.

Concerned about potential loneliness at senior-citizen residences, the aspiring scientist used an iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner, a Windows Netbook, a trash can, and a monitor to build a user-friendly tele-presence robot that moves around and allows seniors to connect via Skype with their family and friends when they are unable to visit in person. It even boasts a "dexterous arm" capable of pouring a glass of water.

"Not everyone is as ambulatory as I am," Marlene Hylak said. "It's a shame that I don't know more about computers."

Perhaps not. Benjamin Hylak's idea and its execution reportedly made a hit with the president.

"I just spent some time checking out some of the projects that were brought here today, and I've got to say, this is fun," Obama said to the gathering. "It's not every day that you have robots running all over your house."

Later, he singled Hylak out, praising his ingenuity.

"So inventions like Benjamin's could make life better for millions of families," he said.

Besides accolades from the president, Benjamin Hylak said, another highlight was a 15-minute conversation with Bill Nye, the Science Guy on PBS.

"He got down on the floor and was checking out the robot," said Hylak, explaining that its name, Maya, stands for "Me and You Anywhere."

Being approached by some corporate folks who would love to assist him in harnessing his talents was exhilarating, too. And his dream school - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - expressed interest in purchasing Maya for one of its labs.

For the most part, Hylak said, he's not worried about returning to his routine, since robotics and engineering are a big part of his life. He said his teachers have been supportive and will give him time to make up the work he missed.

But five days away from wrestling practice could prove painful.

"I'm sort of scared about that," he said.

Although Obama expressed pride in Hylak's project, the president can't compete with "Mom-Mom," giggling as she explained that friends had been asking her for her autograph. She said she was eager to spoil her grandson with his favorite meal.

"I can't wait to see him," she said. "He really loves my chicken soup . . . especially when I put mozzarella cheese on top."