Meet Declan Lopez, the bright six-year-old from Rockaway, New Jersey, who recently earned a spot in Mensa - an international organization for individuals with high IQs. You'd never guess this energetic kindergartner was a Mensa member if you just saw her wild behavior at the playground.
During a recent conversation, Declan amaze-bazzled me with his knowledge of Tennessee's atomic weight. I shrugged and admitted I didn't know, but Declan swooped in to correct me with the answer: 294 grams. Correct me, he did!
Declan's parents, Mitchell and Delano, have been captivated by their daughter's talents since she was a toddler. From holding onto her bottle as soon as she could walk to starting her Mandarin lessons at just 18 months, Declan was always eager to learn.
Mitchell was curious about Declan's IQ and decided to put her to the test with the Wechsler Preschool and Elementary Scale of Intelligence. In February, Declan scored an impressive 137, placing her in the 99th percentile. With this lofty score, Declan was granted Mensa membership.
Declan shares an exhilaration and bewilderment when she learns something new. Her mother explained, "She's just such an amazing little kid who can teach you everything she's interested in."
Mitchell and Delano have gone to great lengths to keep their daughter's thirst for knowledge on a steady drip. Mitchell elaborated, "I couldn't just let it go once I realized the depth of her potential and the need for that kind of stimulation."
Declan's learning continues after school hours. The Lopez family dives into a different topic every day, typically spending 20 to 60 minutes on each one. Monday is Art day, whereas Tuesdays focus on science, and Mitchell offers Monday's Periodic Table experiment and lesson.
Declan's maternal grandmother noted, "She really made sure she knew every atomic weight, every number, every symbol, every classification."
Both Mitchell and Delano have successful careers. Mitchell handles stocks and owns an E-commerce business, while Delano is a health and fitness teacher. Mitchell said they've focused on their children's education, while Delano has prioritized their physical and social development.
When Declan isn't mastering atomic weights, she enjoys playing soccer and karate. The Lopez family just wants Declan to be happy and healthy, with any desire she may have to fulfill and any dreams she may have to achieve.
"All I want is for her to be able to fulfill her needs and wishes and to reach her full potential," Mitchell concluded.
Additional Insights:
Although the article does not mention it explicitly, it is worth noting that Sharon Stone's high IQ and early education are somewhat similar to the six-year-old girl from New Jersey. Stone, a native of Pennsylvania, joined Mensa's experimental program for children with high IQs after starting school in the second grade at age five. Later, she went on to win the Miss Pennsylvania Contest in 1975[3].
