Young Hoboken Student Athlete Jack Heilner Accepted Into Mensa For Problem-Solving

Press release from Hoboken Public School District:

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken Public School District is proud to announce that Wallace Elementary School student Jack Heilner has been accepted into Mensa, the internationally recognized high-IQ society. This prestigious honor highlights Jack’s outstanding problem-solving abilities, creativity, and passion for STEM learning.

From an early age, Jack has embraced hands-on challenges—from intricate puzzles and logic games to engineering projects and scientific experiments. He thrives when exploring how things work, breaking down complex problems, and developing innovative solutions through persistence and independent thinking. Acceptance into Mensa marks an achievement Jack is extremely proud of and reflects his exceptional intellectual curiosity.

Jack has been a Hoboken Public Schools student for his entire academic journey, influenced by a community of educators who recognized and nurtured his talents. His Pre-K teacher, Miss Stephanie, helped establish his early academic readiness and confidence. In fourth grade, Mrs. Taglieri played a pivotal role in reigniting his motivation and helping him see the power of his own potential. Today, his Wallace Elementary School teachers, Ms. Tarpinian and Mr. Stanek, continue to challenge him while supporting his growth as a learner and problem-solver. Their combined guidance has had a lasting impact on his success.

Outside the classroom, Jack is a dedicated athlete who trains in mixed martial arts at Tiger Schulmann’s, where he has cultivated discipline, focus, and perseverance. These qualities are reflected in every aspect of his life, including academics, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Known for his determination, Jack consistently gives his best effort in pursuit of his goals.

Jack is also an emerging young entrepreneur. He recently began designing for his own apparel brand and hopes to use future proceeds to support a community initiative he is developing called “Jack’s Brain Bags.” This Hoboken-based project, currently in its early stages, aims to create STEM-focused learning kits for young children. Each kit would include hands-on activities and problem-solving tools—the same types of challenges Jack enjoys most. His vision is to inspire younger students and give back to the community that has supported him throughout his educational journey.

“Jack’s acceptance into Mensa is a tremendous achievement, but what truly sets him apart is his desire to use his gifts to uplift others,” said Dr. Christine Johnson, Superintendent of Schools. “His passion for STEM, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to service, embodies the very best of the Hoboken Public School District.”

Jack is deeply grateful for the educators who have believed in him, challenged him, and celebrated his strengths. He plans to continue exploring STEM opportunities, growing his Brain Bags initiative, and motivating other young learners just as he has been inspired by those around him.

This press release was produced by Hoboken Public School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.