WATCH: 9-year-old prodigy schools Democrats about 'unlocking talents' through school choice

A 9-year-old prodigy delivered an important lesson to Democrats regarding school choice while recently testifying before Nevada lawmakers.

Juliette Leong took a stand for educational freedom during her powerful speech in front of Nevada lawmakers.

'Wow, Juliette understands education policy better than most Democrats.'

Leong is a vocal proponent of Assembly Bill 584, a legislative proposal introduced on May 14 that is aimed at overhauling the state's public education system and enhancing school choice for students in Nevada. The transformative school choice bill — also known as the Accountability in Education Act — has been championed by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican.

AB 584 introduces RISE education accounts, which would empower students and parents to redirect public funds toward private education, charter schools, homeschooling, or tutoring services if their local public school is failing to meet performance standards.

"This bill expands school choice, holds schools accountable for performance, supports educators, and prioritizes literacy and career readiness," Leong wrote on Instagram. "Nevada has given $11.5 billion to its school districts this biennium, but without accountability, no amount of money will ever be enough."

Leong recently told the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, "I'm here today to express my strong support for AB 584 to expand school choice."

"Thanks to Governor Lombardo, Nevada is on its way to becoming a true school choice state, giving the children the tools to thrive," the 9-year-old proclaimed.

"Our school system is too large and too slow to keep up with the world shaped by rapidly changing job markets," Leong explained. "That's why families need options like smaller private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling."

Leong said, "I spell at a third-grade level and do high school-level math, and no school could accommodate my needs, so I'm homeschooled."

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Video Screenshot juliette.leong Instagram

Juliette noted that her homeschooling has enabled her to thrive in numerous ways, including being an "internationally acclaimed art prodigy, award-winning mathlete, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and influencer who is enrolled in college classes," according to Leong's personal website.

Leong began painting at 8 months old and started selling her paintings for nearly $20,000 when she was just 7 years old.

All of the proceeds from the sales of her paintings have been donated to charities and organizations such as Asian American Donor Program, Race to Erase MS, Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause, Oakland Public Education Fund, Art in Action, Mensa Foundation, APA Heritage Foundation, and Asian Inc.

Leong has reportedly donated more than $250,000 to numerous nonprofit organizations.

Juliette — who is a TEDx speaker — has exhibited her artwork at the Reno Tahoe International Art Show, the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, and the Reno Generator.

Leong is also a talented violinist who, at age 5, was the youngest violin soloist to perform at Carnegie Hall. She is the youngest member of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Juliette is also an impressive singer who has performed the national anthem for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Reno Aces, and Sacramento River Cats.

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Furnished by the Leong family

Leong told the lawmakers, "It's not just about academics. It's about unlocking talents, building confidence, and creating opportunities. It's about teaching kids to solve problems and make a difference."

"Since every kid is different and every family has different circumstances, school choice is how we prepare Nevada students for real-world success, and that everyone who wants a job gets a job," Juliette stressed. "The world is moving forward, and Nevada needs to move forward with the world. Thank you, Governor Lombardo, for fighting for school choice."

Leong's speech on school choice racked up thousands of views on social media and caught the eye of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

"Wow, Juliette understands education policy better than most Democrats," Cruz declared on the X social media platform.

Cruz added, "I’m leading the fight to ensure that my Universal School Choice Act is included in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill — let’s get school choice done."

Lombardo said in April, "After delivering the largest investment in K-12 education in Nevada’s history, we owe it to our communities to match that investment with real results — and real accountability. I’m proud of what we’ve done so far. But let’s be clear — we can no longer accept lack of funding as an excuse for chronic underperformance."

Gov. Lombardo declared, "That’s why I’m introducing the Accountability in Education Act, which is legislation built on one guiding principle: No child in Nevada should be trapped in a failing school because of their ZIP code or held back because of how much their parents or guardians earn."

Assembly Bill 584 will face scrutiny from the state’s Democrat-controlled legislature.

“He has leverage, because if there are gonna be certain things that the Democrats want to pass, and the governor has a veto power, so they have to figure out how to work with him so, like, both sides can get what they want,” Valeria Gurr — a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children — told the Washington Examiner. "Maybe not everything will pass, but certain pieces certainly will pass."

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