Sipho is a vivacious young man who is most often seen with a smile on his face. His parents met during his father’s mission trip to the Valley of 1000 Hills in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. They lived in a Zulu town until two years ago. Being from the states, his father took a job at a local Methodist church and relocated the family to Florida. Sipho’s parents have raised him to respect his elders, use manners,

and to use his natural talents and gifts for God. The family regularly attends services where his father pastors, and his mother is a secretary at the church as well as a Sunday school teacher. Sipho sings in the children’s choir and even plays a special hymn for the church on his violin once a month. At school, Sipho does well in all subjects but particularly excels in math. He picks up new concepts easily, makes connections between topics without being taught, understands concepts at a greater depth, and moves more quickly through the content than his peers. Among his many talents is his love of the arts. He creates songs to help him remember complicated

topics and is a talented painter and sculptor. His passions continue beyond the school day, too. Between church commitments, karate, soccer, math competitions, art, dancing, and singing, he stays very busy!