America’s media loves its geniuses. Maybe they’re broody academics poring over textbooks, or a working-class Boston janitor solving impossible equations on chalkboards, or eccentric white-haired inventors in lab coats explaining time travel.
But Vernon Hills’ own certified genius is nothing so dramatic. He’s a smiling, rowdy preschooler with a fixation on space, a love of puzzles and plenty of energy.
Zorien Royce, who just recently turned 4 years old, got an IQ score of 156 out of 160 on the WPPSI-IV Wechsler test, earning his place in two of the most well-known high-IQ groups in the world — American Mensa and Intertel.
Zorien’s father Md Naqib Alam Ansari is an associate director for a pharmaceutical company. His mother, Monirupa Ananya, is a civil engineer at Turner Construction. Ansari came to the United States in 2014, and Ananya joined him in 2018 after completing her masters. They previously lived in Waukegan, before moving to Vernon Hills for the schools.
Ananya said they didn’t initially have an impression that Zorien was out of the ordinary, although they noted he was especially curious. But when he was quick to pick up speaking, the alphabet and more, they went to experts for advice.
That led them to having Zorien take a children’s IQ test, and then the acceptance into Mensa and Intertel. Ananya said the two prestigious organizations offer extensive knowledge and resources on how to raise a gifted child, as well as connections with other families.
“Our whole goal was, when we saw these abilities, we wanted to provide him with resources and support and the right environment so that he can thrive,” Ananya said.
According to a Mensa press release, Zorien was spelling complex words and counting forward and backward to 100 by age 2, and today can read at a second- to third-grade level and handle multiplication and fractions. The release said he is also fluent in English and Bengali, with “early exposure” to Spanish, Hindi and French.
Zorien now attends Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines, which is specifically aimed at gifted kids. The “gifted” label isn’t limited to academics either, Ananya said. Kids all have “unique” talents that should be supported, she said, and the parents have encouraged their young boy to follow his interests, whether that’s space exploration or bugs.
“For us as parents, every kid is very unique, and their uniqueness should be celebrated in such a way where they can feel their feelings are valued,” Ananya said. “When Zorien is doing math, when he is swimming, it’s all about what he wants to do. He leads us.”
Zorien’s biggest challenge? Sitting still, Ananya said. It’s a “pretty common” challenge for gifted kids, including at SAA, Ananya said, “because their mind is constantly working and evolving, they always want to explore.”
The family’s announcement of Zorien joining Mensa and Intertel has led to a flurry of media attention. The parents said they hope their story can inform other families in similar situations, who may face the same questions they had when they learned their child was considered gifted.
“They may not know what you’re supposed to do,” Ananya said. “Our goal is to inspire others who need more information. We’re learning at the same time, and we want to share our stories. Kids with this curiosity or these abilities should be celebrated.”
But as parents, the most important thing was providing Zorien and his younger sibling Eizayn with encouragement and support, Mensa membership or otherwise. Progress and milestones for both boys are celebrated the same, Ananya said.
For all families, including those with gifted children, the parents advised using local free resources, especially the library. The family are regulars at their local library, where Zorien gets to explore his interests.
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What paths Zorien will end up following as he grows up are still very open, but in the meantime he’s still doing all the usual things expected of a growing child. He plays with friends and gets plenty of time outdoors too, including soccer, biking and swimming.