Zora Elling, a ten-year-old from Irvine, is set to become the youngest graduate in the history of Irvine Valley College (IVC) on Thursday. She will receive an associate’s degree in science for transfer in mathematics, breaking the record previously held by her older siblings.
Zora, an avid reader and puzzle solver, has been homeschooled while attending IVC. She took various classes, including biology, calculus, and psychology, with a strong focus on math. Her academic journey also included courses at the University of California, Irvine, and high school classes through Brigham Young University’s Independent Study program.
Zora’s mother, Christina Chow, describes her as quiet and resilient, with unique interests such as vegetarianism and caring for animals. “If she wants to do something, she will,” Chow said. Zora’s accomplishment is remarkable, given that not all classes at IVC are available to K-12 students due to content restrictions and priority registration for older students…