Mensa has recently welcomed a new member into its exclusive ranks, and this time it’s a remarkable six-year-old prodigy named Chandler Hughes from Texas. In an NBC News special report, viewers get a glimpse into Chandler’s extraordinary journey and his academic prowess.
Chandler’s father shared that even during his time in pre-kindergarten, Chandler demonstrated an advanced intellect by finishing with a second-grade reading and math level.
“He was in pre-kindergarten but finished on a second-grade reading level, second-grade math level,” Chandler’s father told the news outlet. He continued, “He joins a special fraternity of people who are essentially geniuses.”
According to the official Mensa website, “more than six million people qualify for membership in the U.S. alone — that’s one person in every 50.” There is no age limit to join the prestigious club of intellectuals; however, you have to take the test for admission and score “within the upper 2% of the general population.”
Chandler’s parents told the reporter in the NBC News interview that they will unquestionably help him to foster and thrive intellectually, they also want to help him thrive socially as well.
“Just working on the socializing factor, I think, for us is the next piece,” Chandler’s father explained. “He’s in a great environment where his teachers, his peers all support him. Just seeing how we can take this and increase literacy and math rates in our community, and for him to continue to succeed in life.”
Looking toward the future, Chandler envisions himself becoming a doctor with a strong desire to help people in times of illness. “A medical doctor, because I want to help people when they are sick,” Chandler said.
Would you like to find out if you have a child that would be a great candidate for Mensa? Check-out these 17 signs that you too may have a genius on your hands:
- An unusual memory
- Passing intellectual milestones early
- Reading early
- Unusual hobbies or interests or an in-depth knowledge of certain subjects Intolerance of other children
- An awareness of world events
- Set themselves impossibly high standards
- May be a high achiever
- Prefers to spend time with adults or in solitary pursuits
- Loves to talk
- Asks questions all the time
- Learns easily
- Developed sense of humor
- Musical Likes to be in control
- Makes up additional rules for games
- Extrovert/introvert
Photo: Mensa.org; NBC News/YouTube
