Whiz Kid: Ryan Wilson—Athlete, Mathlete, Musician

Whiz Kid: Ryan Wilson

Parents: Jo Ellen and Gary Wilson

School/Grade: , Seventh Grade

Residence: Dove Canyon

Whiz Kid Achievement: A seventh grader, Ryan was a recent finalist in the Orange County Spelling Bee and in the second annual Sage Hill Mathematics Invitational.

Key to Awesomeness: Ryan Wilson’s mother, Jo Ellen, knew she had a special kid from a young age. “At three years old, he was reading,” she said. “He was the one reading the book to the kids at story time in preschool.” He has been a star student ever since, excelling in advanced math classes at school and in everything else he does.

Ryan began St. John’s Episcopal School in preschool, and now is part of the school’s math club, the Octothorpes (the name was created by the students and means number signs.) This past spring, Ryan placed third in the mental math competition at the Sage Hill Mathematics Invitational for seventh and eighth grade students. The competition included data analysis, logic and reasoning, geometry, algebra and engineering challenges. Ryan’s accomplishment was an honor for his school.

Ryan also competed in the OC Scripps Spelling Bee and made it all the way to the third round of the finals, another honor for his school.

Last year, Ryan was a part of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Program. He was recognized for completing its Honors Pre-Algebra course with high honors. He is also a member of other two community service organizations, including the seventh grade chapter of Guys Givin’ Back and a local group called Lion’s Heart.

Although Ryan is a whiz in the classroom, he also takes his skills outside to the field as a member of St. John’s track team and has won several first-place medals. He has been golfing since he was four years old and is an avid football and basketball player. “Ryan is a well-balanced kid,” Jo Ellen Wilson said. “He’ll study inside and then run outside to shoot hoops with his friends.” Ryan has also taken violin and piano lessons for years and enjoys both instruments.

Though Ryan loves math, he also enjoys writing short stories. When he grows up, he’d like to be an oncologist and perhaps find a cure for cancer.

For his many extra-curricular, scholastic and community accomplishments, Ryan Wilson is this week's outstanding Whiz Kid.