Alisa Perales’ father not only drives her to and from school, but also helps her understand the course material and rewards her academic achievements by taking her to Disneyland near their home in San Bernardino, California.
However, Alisa completed her studies on her own, mastering Calculus 3 and computer science university courses. Some weeks, she completed 35 hours of homework all by herself, a remarkable feat for a 10-year-old.
After graduating from Crafton Hills College in April, Alisa became the center of attention, with coverage from Fox News, People Magazine, NBC News, and more. Her average GPA is close to a perfect 4.0, and she holds dual degrees in mathematics and physics, making her the youngest graduate in the college’s history.
Alisa told The Epoch Times, “It’s definitely exciting. I’ve always believed in myself and I’ve always made sure to do the work.”
Having just turned 11 on May 23, Alisa claims she was solving algebraic equations at the age of five. When she continues her studies in the fall, she may choose to attend Stanford University, the University of Arizona, or the University of California, Riverside, as she has already received admission offers from these institutions.
Alisa plans to major in computer science and hopes to work in the field of artificial intelligence, possibly even in aerospace to have the opportunity to go to space.
When considering future employers, she has Elon Musk and SpaceX as potential options.
Her father, Rafael Perales, expressed his unwavering support for whatever path Alisa chooses.
At 51 years old, Mr. Perales, a lawyer by profession, decided to homeschool Alisa for the past 10 years after passing the bar exam, foregoing his legal career. He emphasized that Alisa can choose a career, family, or both, and even homeschool her own children if she wishes. Mr. Perales wants his daughter to find happiness in whatever she pursues.
Alisa has always been a fast learner. Even as a toddler, she would categorize items neatly and speak with a clarity that impressed adults.
Her father admits that while Alisa is naturally gifted, her achievements are also a result of the nurturing of her talents by her parents and teachers. He believes all children have inherent talents.
Mr. Perales stated, “Many children have great potential, but due to lack of focus or insufficient support from parents and teachers, their potential goes untapped. I don’t know how a teacher can effectively teach 25 students at once.”
Due to an inheritance, Mr. Perales was able to stay home and focus on educating Alisa from the age of one. He instilled in her a sense of responsibility and curiosity, making learning enjoyable. He likened raising a child to nurturing a “small sapling” into a “towering tree” with love.
Seeing his daughter thrive, Mr. Perales firmly believes in homeschooling and encourages more parents to explore its advantages. He emphasized, “There’s no comparison, it’s like comparing the strength of a lion to a mouse.”
After a decade of homeschooling, Alisa enrolled at Crafton Hills College to enhance her career prospects. Sometimes feeling overwhelmed by new subjects in class, she discovered she was not alone.
Persistently working through problems, her understanding suddenly clicked. “I get it!” she would think. “I’m going to excel in this class.”
Mr. Perales revealed, “Alisa really puts in the effort. She deserves this. She’s not like a wizard, just sitting there conjuring answers out of thin air.”
Despite being just 10 years old, Alisa is disciplined, always pushing herself to keep up with her studies without procrastination or skipping assignments. She said, “I make sure to do what I’m supposed to do at school.”
Amidst such a heavy academic load, what about her social life? Observers expressed concerns to Mr. Perales that homeschooling might make her socially awkward. However, those concerns proved unfounded.
Mr. Perales shared, “He drives Alisa to soccer games, takes her to parks, and joins her in bike rides with friends. Alisa is one of the most outgoing and friendly children you’ll meet.”
Since starting university, her social circle has continued to expand. When asked to quantify her college friends, she jokingly said, “Hundreds.”
(Source: Translated from 大紀元)