Ronald Reznik, a sophomore at Mepham High School, will be taking part in the National Association of Gifted Children's legislative advocacy in Washington, D.C. in March 17-18 and will be speaking with U.S. senators and representatives on the topic of gifted education. 

After researching gifted education programs for a year and a half, Reznik encountered a Johns Hopkins University professor who currently serves as the president of the National Association of Gifted Children.

“He asked me to join them in Washington, D.C., as they haven’t had a student present at the advocacy before,” Reznik explained. “He said my perspective would be valuable.” 

Reznik, 14, has also written a draft for a law on gifted education in New York State, and a bill based on his proposal will be introduced by New York State Assemblyman David McDonough on the floor of the Assembly soon.

“My speech will focus on how gifted education should be more widespread on a national level,” he explained. “Currently, only one federal program exists to fund gifted education and it’s only research-based.”

Reznik was also awarded a Gold Key by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for a critical essay on the same topic, titled "Equality is not Equity: The Case for Gifted Education" in the Northeast United States region, with the work now moving on to national consideration. In addition, his piece on standardized testing, "Putting Standardized Testing to the Test", won a Silver Key in the same contest.