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Yes, you read correctly: a 14-year-old young lady is graduating from college, and her community couldn’t be more thrilled. Thessalonika Arzu-Embry, who lives on the Great Lakes Naval Base, will be graduating from Chicago State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Thessalonika actually started college at the age of 11 at the College of Lake County. She will finish in August with the degree from Chicago State.

Thessalonika doesn’t attend regular high school like every other freshman her age. She wakes up early with her mother, Wonder Embry, and makes the long commute from home near North Chicago to Chicago State on the far South Side of the city. Not one to let time go to waste, on the way to school, Thessalonika and her mother study theory and talk about homework assignments.

Thessalonika dedicates all of her hard work to her mother, who she says is her motivation to work hard.

“My mother is a strong inspiration to my success. She is a veteran of the United States Navy, and when she finished her tour, she home-schooled my brother and I.”

Wonder Embry adds that she was just doing the right thing for her children.

“The parents are the most influential force in their own children’s lives, and they have the power to influence them to do good and to go forward,” she said.

Embry was home-schooled until she was eight and received the equivalent of a high school diploma. Passing an entrance exam, she got into the College of Lake County and enrolled to study psychology.

Embry carries a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the College of Lake County Honors program and actually enjoys studying — unlike many of her peers.

Thessalonika plans to continue her studies at a graduate program for clinical psychology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a private college in North Chicago, or she may also attend Stanford University.

Thessalonika says she chose clinical psychology because  to help of her desire to help others, “I’ve always wanted to help others, so when I began to think about a profession, I chose one where I could help others and make an impact.”

Embry is set to graduate August 30th. Here’s to wishing this future doctor all the success in the world!

“The parents are the most influential force in their own children’s lives, and they have the power to influence them to do good and to go forward,” she said.

Embry was home-schooled until she was eight and received the equivalent of a high school diploma. Passing an entrance exam, she got into the College of Lake County and enrolled to study psychology.

Embry carries a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the College of Lake County Honors program and actually enjoys studying — unlike many of her peers.

Thessalonika plans to continue her studies at a graduate program for clinical psychology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a private college in North Chicago, or she may also attend Stanford University.

Thessalonika says she chose clinical psychology because  to help of her desire to help others, “I’ve always wanted to help others, so when I began to think about a profession, I chose one where I could help others and make an impact.”

Embry is set to graduate August 30th. Here’s to wishing this future doctor all the success in the world!

 Via Community Journal