By the time I was 13, I had done absolutely nothing with my life.
13-year-old Jack Rico, on the other hand, just graduated from Californiaโs Fullerton College with four associateโs degrees.
You read that correctly.


In fact, Jack became the youngest Fullerton College graduate ever. In celebration, friends and family threw him a special commencement ceremony.
Graduating with four degrees at such a young age isnโt easy by an means. His success is built on the back of hard work and dedication. Jack explains,
โYou never just know everything. You have to study day and night.โ
Wise words. And thatโs coming from a 13-year-old.


Jack poses for a photo, featuring a blue graduation cap and yellow tassel.
A sign behind him reeds โYoungest Graduate Ever.โ
Class of 2020, welcome your youngest graduate.
Is he wearing a Hawaiian lei? The kidโs got some style. Some flare, too.


Friends and family throw him a special, socially distant graduation commencement. Some spectators are wearing masks, while others stay in their cars on the street nearest the makeshift commencement stage.
Theyโre so proud.


Jackโs grandparents were also in attendance. His Grammyโs sign reads,
โCongratulations to our grandson Jack. Grammy and Papa are so proud of you.โ


As assurance, the presiding graduation official states,
โWe checked in admissions and records. It has never been done before.โ
Itโs official.


Safeguarded by a face mask and shrouded in red garb, he presents Jack with a certificate.
Jack doesnโt look too shabby himself.
They proceed to pose for a photo. Their garb looks so ornate.


Aside from taking place in the worst global pandemic in 100 years, the graduation was pretty normal, featuring socially distant versions of all the normal traditions.
This includes the ceremonial cap toss โ an absolute necessity.


Did you know that some universities have removed the cap toss from their graduation commencement ceremonies?
Immediate family and friends pose with Jack for a memorable photo.
Theyโre all smiles.


So where is Jack headed? Whatโs his academic and career path from here on out?
Well, he wants to spend some time exploring options and developing a passion. For now, heโs set on screenwriting, jokingly stating in an interview,
โWanna go out to dinner, Steven Spielberg? Alright. You wanna pick up Michael Bay on the way? You know, like thatโd be pretty cool.โ
Maybe heโll be directing blockbuster flicks one day.


Not that itโs a competition, but very, very few have accomplished what Jack has at such a young age. Most 13-year-olds are still adjusting to adolescence, while some are simply struggling to survive their school social circles.
But Jackโs not a regular kid. Inside Edition adds additional context and more details about his life,
โJack Rico, 13, is the youngest student ever to graduate from Fullerton College with four associate degrees, according to the school. The teenager from La Mirada, California accomplished such a feat in two years. Ricoโs mom started homeschooling him in the third grade because he needed more of a challenge. To celebrate his graduation, friends and family threw him a party in the front yard. Next fall, Rico will continue his education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.โ
So heโll be a 14-year-old attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas next year? I wonder how many degrees heโll have by the time he hangs up the tassels for good.
Clearly, a bright future lies ahead. Keep up the excellent work Jack. The skyโs the limit.
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