Clarke Smith, a Beverly Hills 9-year-old, gets the last words on a bizarro year.
His creative answer to a Washington Post sum-it-up invitation earns pride of place as the best among more than 2,000 replies.
The writing prompt was as challenging as the year itself: "As 2020 comes to an end, The Washington Post wants to know how you would describe the year in one word or phrase."
Clarke's response at right is published after dozens of others in a text-and-graphics presentation dominated by adults, including two other Metro Detroiters (shown below).
Here's some of what the suburban boy's new admirers tweet:
- "He is wise and should go far -- if 2020 ever ends."
- "This is legitimately the most accurate yet hilarious take on 2020."
- "A 9-year-old philosopher."
- "Can this 9-year-old run the country until Biden takes over?"
- "Children are fabulous!"
- "There's something I love about that kid being in Beverly Hills . . . Michigan."
- "Clarke coming in clutch with his 9-year-old wisdom."
- "Keep an eye on this young man. He's going places."
- "Nailed it."
- "Well-played, Clarke, well-played."
The Post roundup's other two local representatives respond to a second question:
