Under the title "What’s the COVID Connection?... A Genius Child Graduates from High School and College in the Same Week," Al Arabiya reported about the American prodigy Mike Wimmer, who, at the age of 12, is preparing to graduate from both high school and college in the same week. Embracing the adage "make lemonade out of lemons," he used the time off from school due to the COVID-19 pandemic to double his efforts and study a larger number of subjects.
According to CNN and various media outlets, Mike Wimmer, from Salisbury, North Carolina, completed four years of study in one year—two years in high school and two years in college. He will graduate from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College on May 21 and from Concord Academy on May 28.
Wimmer noted that he had taken dual classes last year and realized that at his current pace, he only needed a few more classes to earn his associate degree after graduating from high school. Before this achievement, Wimmer was already several years younger than his classmates, as he had become accustomed to studying more subjects to advance through grades faster than his peers.
Wimmer describes himself as a "math and science guy" with a particular interest in robotics and technology. He received his first iPad at the age of 18 months and began to question how it worked. He learned a lot about technical matters by watching online videos and experimenting himself. He also founded his own company, called Reflect Social, which operates in the programming and Internet of Things sectors.
With graduation approaching, Wimmer will soon have to decide on his future plans, which include multiple job offers both inside and outside the United States, or studying additional subjects that would help him grow his startup. However, he expressed a desire for people to know that he is still a child, spending time playing and engaging in regular childhood activities.
Wimmer's parents expressed immense pride in him. His mother, Melissa, told CNN, "If one door closes on him in the future, I’m confident he will find other ways to achieve his goals."
