The valedictorian at my high school and Treasurer of my senior class was 9 years old. I walked next to him at graduation and he was our graduation speaker. He was nominated for the first of four Nobel Peace Prizes for his work with disadvantaged children overseas when he was 12, and he got his master's degree from the University of Virginia when he was 16.
He was reciting books when he was 14 months, doing addition by 18 months, and has several times been on Oprah and Ellen. https://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2006/09/finals_smith.html
Whatch-you got early walkers!
Re: Speaking of child geniuses...
Annelise 3.22.2007 Norah 10.24.2009 Amelia 8.7.2011
LOL! Yeah if she doesn't shape up in the brains department soon, I'm afraid I'm going to have to fall back on her supermodel career. Chunky legs=first things that have to go.
I agree.
NO! I have an aunt that started college at 14. had a PHD at 21 or something like that. She is so socially awkward now because of it. She missed everything. I would never want that for my child.
I agree, this kid was a real freak. No one could stand him in high school (we all voted for him for Treasurer just because it was so odd, and before we really knew him.) He would lecture on and on about "Save the Children!" It was ridiculous. On Oprah he said he felt bad for the other, slower kids, he really had no tact at all, but who would expect an 8 year old to? He sounded like a really pompous, arrogant adult. I've never wanted to punch a kid before, but I'm sure if I could show you his Oprah interviews you'd want to give him a good smack!
During his graduation speech where he advocated and yelled about needing a better world for the children, everyone was groaing and a beach ball was being thrown around.
I'd never want that for my kid. He wasn't normal, and I can't imagine that he is socially normal now.
Here are some quotes from him that I found online, all made when he was 9-10 years old, the same year we graduated high school:
"THERE REALLY IS ONLY ONE CHOICE.
We must hear the cries of the children and answer their prayers."
And this was in his graduation speech:
"I have a vision.
At a time when people are insecure about the future
- when hatred turns against the innocent?
wouldn't it restore hope if children took it upon themselves
to help other children
- children bridging cultural, political and religious divides
- coming together in peace,
speaking with one voice for freedom and justice
and working for a future without fear and suffering?
Children who have not learned to hate,
children who feel a connection with their world,
children who can define the ideal world where all have opportunity
and then believe that it can happen.
For the sake of all of us, we must make this happen."
Seriously? Gag me. And for my baby? NO THANKS.