Kid Genius to Graduate College at 14, Credits God

This fall kids across the country are heading back to school. But 14-year-old Thessalonika Arzu-Embry is the exception. She’s preparing to graduate—from college.

Like most 14-year-old girls, Thessalonika likes to have fun. She enjoys skating in her Great Lakes neighborhood as well as playing tennis.

Yet, while most girls her age are entering their freshman year of high school, complete with discussions about boys and all the latest fashions, Thessalonika has been focused on more important matters.

She has been attending college since she was 11.

“It’s similar to any environment but this environment was full of learning, a learning experience for me,” she told CBN News. “I looked forward to it.”

An Early Passion for Learning
Thessalonika’s mother, Wonder Embry, said she noticed her daughter’s exceptional gift and passion for learning while home schooling her.

“I started reading to her my college books and she understood college material at 6 years old, 8 years old,” she said.

“The first topic that I read about was consciousness in sleeping dreams and about the neurons in the brain and I thought that was very interesting to study,” Thessalonika recalled.

Her mom said her daughter’s quickness for learning encouraged her to enroll the then 11-year-old in classes at Lake County College.

“Academically and mentally she was prepared for it,” her mom said. “And I didn’t want to put a cap on it and hinder her and limit her if she was able to accomplish it. And I just went on and encouraged her to go ahead and make the most of it.”

Many see Thessalonika’s academic aptitude as extraordinary, but the girl genius sees her college experience as just the norm.

“I was treated normal in class and a lot of classes didn’t bring attention to my age at all,” she said. “I just completed the work like the rest of the students.”

Thessalonika has a 199 I.Q. and she said she never once felt overwhelmed by college-level work.

“Some of the assignments had, like, two pages of work and stuff and that was very easy to complete,” she said. “There were some assignments that required only five pages of work and I went like way over the amount.”

The impressive teen has received numerous awards and certificates, is a member of her school’s honor college, and served as a student senator.

By Harlene Israel/CBN:  For complete story please log on to www.cbn.com