Her First Degree At Age 11 – Athena Elling, 11-Year-Old Graduates From Irvine Valley College

Ghana Education News brings to you the inspiring story of Athena Elling – 11-year-old graduates from Irvine Valley College.

Get to know all the details of the 11-year-old female student who just graduated from college. Earlier, Ghana Education News reported on the amazing story of Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II, the 17-year-old who just earned a doctorate degree.

Read Here – Started College At The Age Of 10 – Meet Dorothy Jean Tillman II, The 17-Year-Old Girl With A Doctorate Degree 

In a world full of opportunities, it’s up to you to grab one to create a ‘memory’ and ‘history’ out of it. Some may make it through the education route, others may not. Some may make it through their family lineage, while others might make it through strangers.

Education, most of them say, is the key to success and acquiring knowledge. Well, others do not succumb to this concept. Several African graduates abroad on scholarships have at least an opportunity to turn their lives’ into a testimony via the education route.

Well, there are several stories of students and graduates doing marvelous and life changing things across the globe. Some may be toddlers attaining greater heights by mesmerising the mass with his or her high IQ, others may also be adults with excess magnificent certificates in diverse majors and fields.

Ghana Education News brings to you the amazing and ‘role model’ story of Athena Elling, the young female student who just graduated from college at the age of 11.

Athena Elling, the 11-year-old girl from California, has broken her brother’s record to become the youngest person to graduate with a degree from Irvine Valley College. She graduated cum laude (estimated GPA of 3.5–3.64) on May 23, 2024 from the Irvine Valley College. She earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts.

Athena’s brother, Tycho Elling was then the record holder for the youngest person to graduate from the college until her sister broke it this year. Tycho Elling, graduated with an associate’s degree in Mathematics at the age of 11. For Tycho Elling, he celebrated his birthday within days of the graduation period, while her sister, Athena Elling will be turning 12 in seven months time.

In an interview with The Orange County Register, Athena expressed how humbling and loving it is to break his own brother’s record.

“I know I’m supposed to say that learning is its own reward and it really kind of is, but also, as a second child, beating my older brother is kind of everything,” Athena.

Athena Elling dream of becoming an allergist, a doctor who diagnoses and treats allergies, asthma, and immunologic conditions. According to Irvine Valley College, pursing acting full-time is in the picture for Athena as well.

Elling revealed to ABC Affiliate KABC in an interviewed that she does not plan on stopping her studies anytime soon. She has her eye on another degree. Her next target degree would be either in Psychology or Music.

Watch Full Video Here – Athena Elling, 11-Year-Old Graduates From Irvine Valley College

According to Athena, she has already registered for a course in History and Music for the upcoming summer.

“I have started on calculus and I think there are probably at least 30 more classes I really want to take before I am ready to commit to another major,” she explained.

According to KNBC, Athena Elling’s record may not last. Athena has a younger 9-year-old sister also at Irvine Valley College who would be graduating soon.

“I beat my brother’s record, and she’ll probably beat my record,” Athena revealed about her younger sister.

According to Athena’s mother, Christina Chow, her children were never forced or pressured to take this path. She added that, again, her children are high achievers and love learning as well. Athena Elling, according to the mother, has a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. Aside to taekwondo, she loves singing, dancing, and playing the guitar.

READ ALSO; How a Ghanaian Teacher Risked It All for A New Life in Canada With GHS20,000 Loan (Video)