Zoe Oduntan always had an exceptional intellect.

At a young age, she qualified for Mensa International, an organisation open to those whose IQ falls within the top two percentile for their age.

The 13-year-old skipped several grades as she moved through Somersfield Academy and Saltus Grammar School, all while achieving top marks.

Now, after years of taking classes with the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth on top of her studies, the organisation has nominated her to be a brand ambassador.

“It feels nice to be appreciated,” Miss Oduntan said. “I never actually thought it would happen. I knew I was doing a lot of courses, but I didn’t think CTY would actually ask me to step up.

“I’m really excited to see where it’s going to go.”

Despite her immense talent, the scholar said that she achieved her goals through hard work and dedication — something that anyone could achieve.

Miss Oduntan added: “Even if you don’t have an aptitude for it, as long as you work your hardest, you will get there.

“Success isn’t exclusive — it’s not that some people can achieve it and some people can’t.”

Miss Oduntan, from Pembroke, is a Saltus Grammar School pupil in the two-year Saltus Graduate Years programme.

Her placement has her studying alongside others about three years her senior and she is on schedule to graduate in 2027.

Miss Oduntan said that she realised her gift when she was about four years old when she found her schoolwork too easy.

Her parents, whom she described as “very smart”, began to give her an hour or two of extra work at home a day.

Miss Oduntan said that the extra work included reading textbooks and answering questions, all of which helped her to stay engaged and sharp.

Her mother, Yemi Oduntan, later explained that she got her daughter tested and approved to enrol in Johns Hopkins’s CTY programme.

Miss Oduntan said that she later discovered an affinity for mathematics — something she continues to enjoy today.

She explained: “I really like how it’s an objective subject. There’s a right and wrong answer, so it’s very straightforward and easy for me.

“It can be difficult at times, but I mostly find it pretty easy.”

At age 10, Miss Oduntan achieved a Grade 8 score in her Edexcel IGCSE Maths exam, an test graded on a scale of 1 to 9, and is often completed around the age of 14 or 15.

Two years later, she completed eight more IGCSE classes, with her scores ranging between 9 and 7, and reaching the equivalent of all As and one A*.

In August, Miss Oduntan became eligible for the Study of Exceptional Talent, a programme offered by the CTY programme to those who achieved a minimum score of 700 out of 800 in the maths or critical reading section before the age of 13.

Miss Oduntan said that she maintains her studies and extracurricular activities, such as rowing, with a schedule that she adheres to closely.

She said: “If I start to lose track, it can get really stressful, so I try to keep on top of my scheduling.

“Of course, I takes breaks and have fun in between. It’s not just all work.”

Miss Oduntan said she hoped to focus on her AP classes this year and later start applying for colleges.

She said that she hoped to get into Oxford or Cambridge in England, or an Ivy League college in the United States, so that she could study medicine or economics.