Wellington resident and Polo Park Middle School seventh grader Anthony Ward has been accepted into Mensa, the society for people with high IQs. Ward joins just fewer than 3,000 other youths under the age of 18 worldwide with Mensa membership.
“He was reading at age 2, so we started him in preschool just before his third birthday. The teachers said it would be OK as long as he was able to keep up, and we are so proud of him!” mom Kimberly Joy said.
Not only did Ward keep up being a grade ahead, he excelled in the gifted programs at Wellington Christian School, Binks Forest Elementary School and now Polo Park Middle School.
“I am hoping my membership will help me and give me an edge in the future when applying for jobs and being accepted into a good college,” Ward said. “I am also looking forward to attending the events and meeting other members.”
Mensa was founded in England in 1946, and the society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2 percent of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other’s company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.
The average adult IQ score is 100, with those topping 140 considered to be geniuses. Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity; to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence; and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.
Ward is looking forward to the challenges of eighth grade. He actively serves in his church, loves roller coasters and hopes to be spending a lot of time fishing and reading this summer.
ABOVE: Anthony Ward with his Mensa letter.
