Making momma proud, local boy DonEliezer Baize was named the brightest middle school student in the world by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth this year.“It’s what every mom wants for their kid, to see them achieving their potential. He’s been taking college entrance exams since he was in fifth grade and so he’s had his goals in mind ever since. I am just grateful that his hard work really paid off,” said Lizette Baize, mother of DonEliezer. DonEli, as the family calls him was gifted from a young age. His father, local ophthalmologist, Dr. Kevin Baize, started his son in academic-vision therapy and exhibited great responsive skills through this program, which he started at age 5. Not only is DonEli one of the brightest young minds in the world, he’s also a sweetheart, said Alyssa Walhood, a senior in English from Oregon, who worked at his parents’ office next to Laie Palms Theater last year. “He’s always smiling, greeting people, and always joking around, then he turns around and smokes the ACT. He’s a really good kid with a lot of potential.” DonEli shared with Khon2 News his hopes to make Hawaii a better place and expressed his dream of constructing better computers. He also plans to attend the California Institute of Technology to pursue a career in electrical engineering. “At the awards ceremony I heard someone whisper about my son, ‘That kid’s gonna go far,’” said Baize. His mother laughed as she described DonEli’s performance on stage when he received his award where he managed to throw the shaka as the photographer snapped his photo. Baize smiled as she said, “This kid’s got the whole package. He is so fun and I’ve really enjoyed raising him into this young man.”After a nearly perfect score on the ACT, it’s no wonder DonEli’s parents are proud. They are also proud of their other children, Mandy, who recently married, and Kevin Jr., who just left to serve in the Indonesia, Jakarta Mission, and who were both skilled in math and science. Baize said she strongly enforced math and science in her home. According to Khon2 news, Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth recognizes students under the age of 13 who achieve a score of 700 or higher on the ACT. Of the invited students, at least 85 students achieved a perfect score on the reading or math section of the test taken. Elaine Tuttle Hansen, executive director of CTY, said, “We are so pleased to take a moment to recognize these academically talented students for their remarkable achievements, and to honor the parents and educators who have guided them along the way.”
Writer: Meagan Crowell ~ Multimedia Journalist
