Meet Shelomi Farrell: the 14-year-old schoolgirl who just joined a society for the smartest people in the world

Shelomi Farrell is a high-achiever in school and just joined Mensa (Picture: Farrell Family)

FROM A young age, Shelomi Farrell always had something special about her, according to her mother Jhardine.

Growing up in the northern city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, she noticed how a young Shelomi started to stand out from her peers when she decided to start reading the works of English litterateur Jane Eyre and memorising the old, Victorian English prose she was famous for.

Before she was ten, she began revising the periodic table and in her spare time, made her own dictionary.

“I did notice a certain kind of an amount of intelligence, really, that she had that was really kind of surprising,” says her mum Jhardine. “When you see the things that she was interested in – like learning all the digits to do with Pi and her love of words – you know there is something different here. She was always able to pick up things really fast and you never needed to explain things more than once to her.”

Accepted into Mensa

Passionate about her daughter’s budding interest in academia, Jhardine turned to Mensa when she was just eight years old – a society that welcomes people whose IQ is in the top two per cent of the population.

“My mom put me to do a Mensa test online because I wasn’t actually old enough to do the proper test,” recalls Shelomi. “I found out that I actually had exceptionally good results. However, she had to put my age as four years older than I actually was to do the online test. So, we waited and then only a few months ago, I went to Manchester to do the proper test and about a week ago, I found out that I was invited into Mensa.”

At just 14-years-old, Shelomi’s IQ results landed her in the top 1% of people with the highest levels of intelligence.

The schoolgirl says she was relaxed, yet confident about being accepted into the prestigious society, while only months away from beginning her GCSE’s alongside her peers.

I think just knowing that I have the potential – because I am in Mensa now – just lets me know that I’m capable of doing a whole lot more

Despite her incredible success, Shelomi’s mother says the family have kept her academic feats private until now.

“I didn’t really tell that many people that we were going to go for [the Mensa test] at all, but I always sort of keep her godparents and the family aware and up to date of her exploits,” admits the mother-of-two. “We do need that support from the family and the community. We have got people around who just love us and just love the children and want them to succeed.”

With four degrees under Jhardine’s belt already, Shelomi’s achievements almost come as no surprise, hailing from a family where she says education and learning is of the utmost importance.

At school, her daughter is a proud Maths Ambassador and recent winner of the Head of Department Award for excelling in history – her two favourite subjects. The effort she has put in to becoming a member of Mensa, says Shelomi, reflects her current grades in school.

Shelomi Farrell (left) with her supportive mother Jhardine.
(Picture: Farrell Family)

Now, she has set her ambitious sights on travelling far and wider to make her growing dreams a reality.

“My goal is to become a barrister. I’m definitely interested in studying law and philosophy at university, and I think just knowing that I have the potential, because I am in Mensa now just lets me know that I’m capable of doing a whole lot more,” she says. “It’s helped my ambition to go to either the University of Toronto or Harvard. It’s inspired me to believe that I can I can do whatever I want to do.”

Being a role model for others

While making great strides, Shelomi hasn’t forgotten that a black girl like herself from Leeds, West Yorkshire is a scarcity in the world of academia. But, it’s something she takes on seriously.

I think that I am going to take on the responsibility of being a role model and I plan to do that. I feel that I have to remind myself that I am only fourteen and that even though I do have a bigger responsibility now by opening up more opportunities for myself, that I also have to take it easy on myself and make sure that I stay sane in the process.

Jhardine agrees with her daughter’s approach, but also recognises that her background – her father being Nigerian and her own heritage being in St.Kitts and Nevis and Montserrat – creates a deeper meaning for the young girl.

“We don’t really see that many positive about African-Caribbean girls in the news in regards to education as much as we’d like to see,” admits the senior consultant and writer. “And it’s not that we don’t have them, because we do have some really inspiring young people that are doing great things. But I think that sometimes they seem so far in the distance, like they are out of reach.”

She adds: “With Shelomi, she’s down to earth and she’s within the community. We don’t have airs and graces, we don’t have mansions and connections that are high up or anything like that. She’s just an ordinary young lady who is making strides. She has the potential, like all young people, have that potential to do something great and it’s just good to have recognition. So, I am looking for her to be a role model – to her family, to her friends and other young people.”

Ann Clarkson, the Communications Manager at Mensa, told The Voice that Shelomi’s acceptance into the society is just the beginning for the teenager.

“Shelomi joins a growing community of teenagers in Mensa and we are delighted to welcome her into the society. Her membership will give her the chance to meet – in person and online – other bright sparks,” she says.

“Mensa is a society free from any social, gender, economic, age or ethnicity distinctions, and the only criterion for membership is a measured IQ in the top two per cent. We have members aged from four to 102 and from all ethnicities and we are delighted to welcome them all.”

With her new found status and opportunities that are beginning to flourish, Jhardine and the rest of family still are all too aware of the pitfalls that can come with so much, so young.

They are a Godly family; the power of prayer and praying together as a unit is paramount, she believes, and as a mother she is “always here.”

“There is negativity out there, but my daughter knows who she is. And it’s once you know who you are, that’s the thing that matters, not what other people might want to say about you,” says Jhardine.

For 14-year-old Shelomi, as incredible opportunities arise and doors open, her mother is indeed right as she hasn’t forgotten where she is right now and the small steps she needs to take before the much bigger ones.

She plans to focus on her GCSEs, and getting the highest grades possible. She loves debating and is preparing on launching her own fashion brand alongside her modelling.

Jhardine adds that parents should look out for that “special spark” in their children whilst they are young, and believes that it is their job, not to dismiss things that might seem odd or slightly strange or even let society’s barriers deter them, but to harness it for their futures to make them brighter. Similiar to her daughters.

When asked if she enjoys anything outside the world of academics, she admits that she’s a “sporty person.” Spending her time playing cricket, netball and football. She also loves rollerblading.

So, that’s like a childish way towards my hobbies I guess,” she concedes.

But in fact, it is those same hobbies that so many other teenagers out there have as well, that makes her starting journey into Mensa so much more possible for all of them too.

Comments Form

11 Comments

  1. | Yvonne Weston

    It is so heartwarming to read this story. When our youth achieve excellence, it lets others know that it’s possible for them too. I’m so happy for the family. God bless you all.

    Reply

  2. | Jeff & Hilary

    Wonderful – to God be the glory

    Reply

  3. | Brother Ansell

    Well done young lady. May wisdom and understanding grow alongside your academic endeavours, making you whole, complete and awesome.

    Walk good

    Reply

  4. | Sylvia Whyke

    This is very commendable Shelomi. Congratulations! I am very pleased for you. I knew from very early there was something very special about you.
    I am very proud to be your godmother. Gos bless you in all of your endeavours. You have a long way to go. Up and upwards Shelomi. Keep flying high..

    Reply

  5. | Mrs. W. james

    It is so rmportant for parents to bring up the children in the love of God, is a different.
    May HEVENLY PATHER our Lord Jesus Christ Protectç Shelomi Farrell and parents all the way that she can fully became a World Leader in time to come.
    The scay is you limit.
    Knowlege is power, that is the way to go.

    Roll model for the youth today, and ever.
    Congratulation to the Farrell family.

    Reply

  6. | Petronella

    Well done Shelomi. You’re a star.
    To God be the glory.

    Reply

  7. | Jackie CR

    Congratulations Shelomi absolutely brilliant news and also to proud mum Jhardine. Wishing you continued success. Best wishes Jackie

    Reply

  8. | Antony Tembo

    Well done Shelomi. The sky is not the limit. Keep going

    Reply

  9. | Carol Comrie

    Well done and God bless you Shalomi. Praying that you are successful in your pursuits and goals and that God will use you to be an example and encouragement to others around the world

    In Jesus Christ your inheritance is this: Isaiah 54 17 “No weapon forged against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgement You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is from Me says the Lord”

    Reply

  10. | Carol Comrie

    Sorry I didnt realise I spelled Shelomi’s name wrong in my original post until after I submitted it!

    Reply

  11. | Thierry BENOUN

    Wow my daughter. I am so very proud of you. Well done!

    Reply

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