Forget about attempting to outsmart a 5th grader. A new reality series asks, “are you smarter than a child genius?” Lifetime’s reality series competition, “Child Genius” recently showcased the talents of 20 children ages 8-12 from across the country, competing for a $100,000 college fund and the title of Child Genius 2014.
One of those children who made history is John Sumter, 10, from Myrtle Beach, S.C. He’s the son of former CNN video journalist, Traci Sumter, and Gregory Sumter, who works in management at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
The show’s producers approached the family after seeing John in a news report about being the youngest member of MENSA International, the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. John has tested into the 99.9 percentile with the highest math, language and reading test scores nationally. Recently, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper conducted a phone interview with this remarkable family.
After a series of video chat interviews and welcoming camera crews into their home, the Sumter family said they were ready to embrace the new experience of reality TV.
“We didn’t know if the show was legitimate because we’d never heard of it. I did some background checking and found out the show was very legitimate and new to the U.S.,” said Traci, who is now a stay-at-home mom.
“Child Genius” was shot in Los Angeles in the summer of 2014, but the Sumters began working with producers almost eight months prior. Outside of deeming the show’s credibility, John’s parents had other concerns.
“We were excited but sometimes you just don’t know what’s going to come out of a child’s mouth,” laughed Gregory, John’s father. “We pretty much stepped out on faith and we helped coach him through different life aspects.”
Traci expressed a different fear.
“My biggest concern was that John was so young,” mentioned Traci. “I don’t care how smart an 8-year-old is, they’re never going to be as smart as a 12-year-old just because they’ve had more life experiences. But it’s a wonderful reinforcement. Athletes often get praised but kids like this usually don’t.”
Out of the 20 children cast, only two were African-American, including John who was just 9 years old at the time of filming.
“We are very proud to have been there and to make the Top 10. We wanted to show a positive image because there are so many negative ones out there,” commented Traci of the portrayal of African-Americans in reality TV.
John remembers the experience as positive.
“The first day was amazing,” said John. “I got to meet many friends and play chess. I was just really excited and would like to try the whole thing again. I would be able to concentrate harder and win.”
Outside of academics John’s parents describe him as a “typical kid” who likes to play video games, video chat with friends and play outside.
“You’d expect high achieving children to speak like adults, but he speaks like a 10 year old. He enjoys video games but when he sits down to take a test, you get a whole new person,” said Traci, who also mentioned that John participates in the gifted and talented program at his school.
He also enjoys reading, science, social studies and playing the piano.
“I love to read The Raven over and over because the suspense just kills me. I just love it!” said John.
Traci recalls one of the first times she realized John’s special intellectual gift, while she was using the “Your Baby Can Read” program.
“I was making flashcards and as I was writing the words on the card, he looked over my shoulder and started reading them,” noted Traci. “I thought ‘kids at this age can memorize everything’ so I shuffled them up and he still could recognize them.”
Traci said she hoped by competing on “Child Genius” that John would get an opportunity to showcase his abilities, because he doesn’t always get that opportunity in school.
When asked about the pressures put upon gifted children, Traci said she witnessed a mixed group of parents and children.
“There were some parents who were in it to win and they were usually the parents of the older children. Most of the younger kids were just sucking up the experience of meeting one another,” recalled Traci.
Gregory said too often children are sheltered and when they step out into the real world, they deal with loss or disappointment and don’t know how to handle it.
“Of course John is going to have some setbacks, but we would rather guide him through those,” he said.
In regards to the future, Gregory and Traci want John to continue to live the life of a typical child and have fun without too much pressure.
“My husband and I feel as if it’s our responsibility to educate him,” said Traci. “But we try to enrich his environment as much as we can.”
For more information about the “Child Genius” show, visit mylifetime.com. To keep up with John Sumter, visit: facebook.com/childgeniusJohnSumter.
