Azyah Dawn (13 years old), Philip Mindan (11 years old) and Dannon Paler Viola Knott (9 years old) are 3 siblings that are special in their own way.  These are just average kids that same as the children their age, loves to play, read and hang out with their peers. But what makes these children special is that they all study in a school for gifted children.

Having one gifted child in a family is very seldom, but how about having three? Mrs. Tess Knott, their mother, was overwhelmed with these phenomena, “At first I didn’t know what being a gifted child is. I am not aware of these skills until Azyah’s teacher informed me about it. I have to do some reading and research to be able to understand the capabilities and strengths of my children.”

It is said that gifted children are born and certain factors made this possible. The teachers informed Mrs. Knott that it is a combination of parent’s genes and the environment. “I was so happy, maybe some of my ancestors are geniuses” cited Mrs. Knott

Reading is the main focus of the program. Each week they have to read a book and be able to pass the tests in order to stay in the program. And take note, these books are not just ordinary, pocket sized books. Some of the books are: Da Vinci code, Harry Potter, Gallows Hill, Tribulation Force, Beast, Treasure Island, The Third Eye, The Book of Three, Moby Dick, The Golden Compass, Stranger with my Face, Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Dark is Rising, Princess Academy, The Baby Zoo, The Hmong, Ellen Tebbits, Rocket to the Moon, The Bunyans, The Yoruba of West Africa, Myths and Facts about Aids, Lizard Music and a lot more. I can go on and on with the list of books these children have to read each week.

Azyah is known for her gift in writing stories and in music. Dannon, though he is now in the gifted school with his brother and sister, his main skill is yet to be discovered. Philip however was able to get the highest record in reading in Southwestern Elementary School, able to read an average of 50 books, and attain 900 points in his reading, that truly is a record. Up to this day, Philip still holds on to that record which he and his family are truly proud of.