Imagine what you were doing when you were 13. I know I wasn’t doing much with my life. This kid is not like your average 13-year-old.
Little Jack Rico, just graduated from California’s Fullerton college with four associate’s degrees.
That’s right, 13 and graduated from college already.
Jack just happens to be the youngest Fullerton College graduate to date. Accomplishing this is no easy task. To celebrate this huge achievement, his friends and family threw him a special commencement ceremony.
Graduating from college, in general, isn’t easy by any means. Not to mention just getting one degree as an adult is hard, but this boy graduated with four a such a young age. Wondering how he did it? Well, he says that his success comes from the foundation of hard work and dedication. Jack says,
“You never just know everything. You have to study day and night.”
For a boy who’s only 13-years-old, he’s definitely well beyond his years.
Jack poses for a picture-perfect moment showing off his blue graduation cap and yellow tassel.
The sign below reads, “Youngest Graduate Ever.”
Congrats to the Class of 2020, and welcome your youngest graduate!
This kid is also wearing a Hawaiian lei, I mean he’s got some serious swag.
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.
They’re so proud.
Jack’s grandparents were also in attendance. His Grammy’s sign reads,
“Congratulations to our grandson Jack. Grammy and Papa are so proud of you.”
As assurance, the presiding graduation official states,
“We checked in admissions and records. It has never been done before.”
It’s official.
Safeguarded by a face mask and shrouded in red garb, he presents Jack with a certificate.
Jack doesn’t 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 – 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.
They’re all smiles.
So where is Jack headed? What’s his academic and career path from here on out?
Well, he wants to spend some time exploring options and developing a passion. For now, he’s set on screenwriting, jokingly stating in an interview,
“Wanna go out to dinner, Steven Spielberg? Alright. You wanna pick up Michael Bay on the way? You know, like that’d be pretty cool.”
Maybe he’ll be directing blockbuster flicks one day.
Many 13-year-olds are still just trying to adjust to adolescence and navigate school social circles at this age. Very few have been able to accomplish what Jack has done at such a young age. It’s quite amazing to see what our youth can accomplish.
But Jack’s not a regular kid. Inside Edition adds additional context and more details about his life,
“Jack 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. Rico’s 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.”
Now when he’s 14-years-old he will be attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. How many degrees do you think he’ll get before he decides to take up a career?
This kid is on a path to greatness. We could all take some notes from this young man. Keep up the good work Jack!
See Jack’s hard-earned graduation celebration in the video below.
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