Is there a Mensa member who loves roti, pelau, soca and calypso? Yes — and his name is Jadon Prieto. Born to T&T parents in the US, the seven-year-old genius is excited to be part of the global society that celebrates and nurtures people with incredibly high IQs.
Jadon’s mother, Dr Simone Phipps-Prieto hails from San Fernando, and his father, Dr Leon Prieto, from Point Fortin. They are both university professors at Middle Georgia State University and Clayton State University, respectively.
They realised that around age two, the Georgia Cyber Academy first-grader (second year student) began showing signs of educational advancement that were not typical for a child that age.
“He started reading and picking up everything (that we taught him) quickly, so instead of just waiting, he kept going to the next level. In kindergarten (first year), he already knew multiplication and division,” his mother proudly recalled.
His father added that their son was able to spell words like elephant around age three, impressing their friends and colleagues and his teachers alike.
Jadon told WE Kids that he enjoys learning and has a strong interest in both art and math — and he explained why.
“When you’re doing art, you can be creative and you can express your feelings, and I love math because it challenges me and I love challenges,” he said.
But when he’s not in school, you can find him playing some of his favourite video games at home, including educational ones.
He wrote an exam at school — the cognitive ability test — with hopes to be accepted into its gifted programme, and he did. The school’s website said the programme provides “rigorous instruction” and creates a supportive school environment, “to meet the intellectual, academic, social, emotional and motivational needs of gifted and high-ability learners.”
But after what his dad called “closer inspection” of his score, he realised it was very high and met the criteria to be accepted into American Mensa.
Mensa is the oldest and largest high-IQ society in the world.
The American Mensa is the biggest national Mensa, boasting over 40,000 members. To qualify, one must take an accepted, standardised intelligence test and score in the top two per cent of the general population.
And Jadon’s score of 144/150 made him fit in just perfectly.
“I feel very happy and proud of myself for all of the progress I have made,” Jadon beamed.
He hopes to become a paediatrician when he grows up, “because they take care of children and babies, and I think they are very important.”
But in addition to his love for art and challenges, he also loves food. To be more specific, he likes pelau and callaloo, and was sure to explain that he “loves roti a lot.”
His mom and dad migrated to the US when they were 19 and 22, respectively, but ensured they continued to push and maintain the culture of their homeland. In fact, Jadon also loves soca, calypso and the steelpan.
His first visit to T&T was last December when he got a taste of Trini Christmas.
“I think Trinidad is a very beautiful island because it has really beautiful landforms and its beaches make me very curious.”
Jadon also has autism and ADHD, and his mom recounted what she called “the best advice” she has ever received to assist in navigating this.
“One of his diagnosing doctors told me: ‘Put no restrictions on him.’ Some parents may say, ‘Maybe my kid can’t do this because…’ but always think they can,” she said. “And I would encourage other parents to encourage their children and keep motivating them, giving them every opportunity you possibly can to open up their world and introduce them to a variety of things. Let them figure out what they like.”
After his son’s diagnosis, Jadon’s father said he also “returned to school” to earn certification to be an educator for children with autism. Now, he teaches entrepreneurship to secondary-level students with autism.
“So my son has inspired me, as well, to grow as an individual and provide more opportunities for those on the spectrum.”
Both parents were pleasantly surprised at how rapidly the news about Jadon’s acceptance into Mensa spread across T&T.
“We’re taking it in stride and we’re just very proud of Jadon. This is just the first of many accomplishments that he will achieve.”
Echoing similar sentiments, his mom said seeing her home country and its diaspora unite to celebrate Jadon’s achievement was “a very powerful reminder that no matter where you are, home is where the heart is.”
“You may have left T&T but your identity is still home and it will always be home.”
Jadon has since received his official acceptance letter from American Mensa and will soon participate in its activities for children.
