Reaching New Heights — and Beyond.

Martin Luther King Jr. summarized the power of education as the combination of intellectual rigor and moral fortitude: “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” Dr. King’s leadership has long guided students in the throes of emotional and academic development, and for many, college is the place where maturity meets challenge to spark enlightenment. For Thessalonika Arzu-Embry, that convergence of intellect and maturation came when she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology — at age 14.

Arzu-Embry grew up in a military family, with a mother in the Navy and a father in the Air Force. She moved frequently and experienced the world while studying in a rigorous homeschool environment. Later, her father retired from the Air Force and became a pilot at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Fascination with aviation was in Arzu-Embry’s DNA. She went on to earn an MBA from Regent University at age 16. Classmates were twice her age, but Arzu-Embry was undaunted, although she also had to spend some study time earning her driver’s license. She credits her parents with helping her achieve such lofty goals.

“I think my parents did a great job of teaching me a lot and making everything a learning experience,” she told the Suffolk News-Herald. “When we travel somewhere, we learn about the area we’re traveling to. Growing up, they made everything a learning opportunity. I’m appreciative of them for that, and I thank God for that.”

With an MBA, most people are ready to throw themselves into the work world. Arzu-Embry wrote a bestselling book, “Jump the Education Barrier,” and went on to earn her PhD in aviation psychology at age 17. While other kids her age were focused on shopping malls and social media, Arzu-Embry was focused on psychological research aimed at reducing human-factor errors in aviation.

Still, the bright-eyed girl with the contagious smile made time to go on trips with her church youth group, play tennis and write four more books, including one titled “Perspicacious Investing: High Risk Hedge Fund Methods Revealed.”

For all of her accomplishments, Arzu-Embry is still young and full of curiosity. She is a genius, but by her own definition: “A genius is someone who makes wise choices in their life, and they are not proud. If they are proud, they are not geniuses.”

Arzu-Embry has shown us all how to not only make wise choices, but to keep making them in every phase of our lives. And to have fun along the way.

The Power of Education… PassItOn.com®