The Forbes 10 Under 10

Aiden Johnson

Residence: Valparaiso, Indiana

Education: 5th Grade

Toy they can’t live without: Animal Crossing: New Horizon for Nintendo Switch

 

The most senior member of our list, Aiden Johnson, took the 5th grade by storm with his realistic drawings of teachers crossed with animals, or “Aiden-morphs™” as he’s calling them. More than just a way to get some laughs and pass the time, Aiden is selling his drawings to his classmates for a dollar a pop. Now that’s one entrepreneurial youngster!

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Mason Hampstead

Residence: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Education: 1st Grade

Toy they can’t live without: Lego Ninjago Playset

 

Fresh off his first season in little league, Mason Hampstead finds himself one of the preeminent names in the Western Michigan coach-pitch circuit. Hammering the ball all over the infield and only crying a handful times, 2021 was truly a breakout season for Mason. And the best part is,  his dad just bought him a brand new blue glove for next year.

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Lil’ Chloe McLaren

Residence:  Geneva, Illinois

Education: 3rd grade 

Toy they can’t live without: Anything horse related

 

If you look up the word “perseverance” in a modern dictionary, odds are you’ll see a photo of Chloe McLaren somewhere nearby. Upon moving from Sycamore, Illinois, to nearby Geneva, Chloe carved out a whole new identity for herself in her new school as the small girl! Finally owning her diminutive stature, Chloe, now simply known as “Lil,” is in the midst of a glow-up unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

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Caden Boyer

Residence: Hermon, Maine

Education: 2nd grade

Toy they can’t live without: His keychain collection

 

While Michael Jackson may be marred in controversy for the remainder of time immemorial, young Caden Boyer assuredly is not. Upon learning from his older brother, Dave, how to do the Moonwalk, Caden has gone from shy wallflower to the undisputed king of his class. Going so far as to Moonwalk to the pencil sharpener, the bathroom, and somewhat impractically, when selecting a seat on the bus, Caden Boyer’s antics will have you wondering if this young boy really might have the power to “heal the world.”

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Bryan Glover

Residence: Binghamton, New York

Education: 4th grade

Toy they can’t live without: Harry Potter Magic Wand from Universal Studios

 

Upon transitioning from 3rd to 4th grade, Bryan Glover was presented with an ultimatum: either help your father pick up the pinecones that have accumulated in the front yard or give up use of the television indefinitely. Bryan, ever the enterprising young man, came up with a mutually beneficial solution. For every pinecone that he picks up, he gets one minute of television time per evening. Being the suckers that they are, Bryan’s parents accepted the deal without delay. We look forward to seeing more of Bryan’s harsh negotiating skills in 2022 and beyond.

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Madelyn Armstrong

Residence: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Education: Kindergarten

Toy they can’t live without: Hess Truck Set

 

William Shakespeare once said “be not afraid of greatness, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” When it comes to five year old Madelyn Armstong and her end of the semester self-portrait for art class, all three are most certainly true. Not only did her picture more closely resemble a human being than any other child’s in the class, but she and her best friend Jamie drew themselves in the same shirt! Move over Grant Wood, Iowa’s got a hot new artist on the scene!

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Kevin “Tater Tot” Malloy

Residence: Bellingham, Washington

Education: Pre-K

Toy they can’t live without: Whatever toy his older sister is playing with at a given moment is his favorite

 

This past year was a significant one for three year old Kevin Malloy. Not only did he learn to catch a ball (sort of), but he also started sorting objects by size and color. What a game changer! And what’s more, he had tater tots for the first time. When one talks of disruptors, one cannot help but mention the name Kevin Malloy.

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Matthew “Matty” James

Residence: Katy, Texas

Education: Some daycare

Toy they can’t live without: Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler

 

If you’ve driven around the greater Houston area over the past few months, undoubtedly you’ve noticed that there’s a new playboy in the midst. Donning sunglasses with blue flames and traveling at speeds upwards of 5 MPH, Matthew “Matty” James has quickly become one of the most influential four year olds in town. Cruising through his back yard while the wind whips through his close-cropped haircut, Matty James’ slick new ride has the neighbor kids green with envy, but Matty doesn’t care – he’s too busy having fun.

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Beth Everson

Residence: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Education: 4th grade

Toy they can’t live without: Soccer ball

 

Sometimes our greatest achievements are borne out of circumstance and when it comes to Beth Everson’s colossal 2021 this was most certainly the case. While staying at her Grandmother’s house for 10 days during her parents trip to Las Vegas, Beth got so bored that she decided to read a book. The novel, “Sarah, Plain & Tall,” written by Patricia Maclachlan, was devoured by young Beth over the course of the day and had her promptly asking her Grandmother if she had any other paperbacks. Nine days and 12 Boxcar Children books later, Beth’s parents picked her up a little lighter in the pockets, but with a bonafide reader on their hands!

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Sophia Stewart

Residence: Orlando, Florida

Education: N/A

Toy that she can’t live without: Fisher Price Rattle N’ Rock Maracas

 

At just over 3 months old, Sophia Stewart is the youngest of this year’s 10 under 10. You’re probably asking yourself, with just over 90 days on planet earth, what the heck could this baby have done to deserve entrance in this illustrious group? The answer: she’s a really great sleeper! Not since Dorothy and company walked through that field of poppies in The Wizard of Oz has someone boasted the sleeping prowess of someone like Sophia. Sleep on, Sophia. We know you will!

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