Homeschool to a B&M Bachelor's. Earned at 14.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Thessalonika Arzu-Embry and her mother, Wonder Embry, get up at 5 in the morning most weekdays to go to school together.

Unlike most 14-year-olds, however, Thessalonika isn't off early in the morning to the local high school. She's going to Chicago State University.

Thessalonika is putting the finishing touches on a college career that started three years ago at College of Lake County and will end next month with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago State.

"My college experience is a traditional college experience for me — it is just that I have completed it faster," Thessalonika said. "I am very excited about joining others in having the opportunity to contribute to society in a significant way."

After their early wake-up, Thessalonika and her mom pray and work on Bible studies, then work out at a local fitness center before starting their hour-and-a-half commute from their home at the Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago to Chicago State, located on the city's South Side. Wonder Embry is a classmate of sorts at Chicago State, where she's a graduate student in clinical psychology.

During the commute, Wonder and Thessalonika study theory together and chat about their homework assignments. Thessalonika said her mother keeps her motivated.

"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," Thessalonika said […]

Thessalonika was home-schooled until she was 8. At age 11, after receiving the equivalent of a high school diploma through her home schooling, she passed an entrance exam to attend College of Lake County and enrolled to study psychology. […]

Thessalonika began attending classes at Chicago State last year and is on track to graduate Aug. 30 after finishing two summer classes.

If that weren't impressive enough, the 14-year-old carries a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the school's Honors College, a program designed for talented and highly motivated students. And she serves as a student senator.

She spends much of her time studying, reading and working with other students. While classmates are sometimes surprised by her young age, they generally don't treat her any differently, especially since she often will help them study, Thessalonika said.

Wild college parties aren't an option for Thessalonika, which is fine with her. A person's college experience is what they want to make of it, she said, and for her that means studying hard and helping others.

Great Lakes resident about to get her bachelor's degree at 14 (Conor Morris, Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, July 23, 2013)