Two Yuma siblings graduate college before starting high school

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Two local siblings are preparing to reach a milestone that most students don't encounter until years later. Graduating college before even starting high school.

Lyra and Max Olea, students at Arizona Western College, are set to earn their associate degrees this May. Despite their young age, both are already enrolled in classes at Northern Arizona University as they continue their academic journey.

“One thing that inspired me to graduate early, is I wanted to get ahead," Max Olea said. "Because I’m not exactly sure what I want to be when I grow up. So then I can have more options.”

His sister shared that her motivation comes from her family. “My mom got her doctorate degree and I wanted to be like her and graduate early so then I could, like, have more opportunities," Lyra Olea said.

Edna Gary, the siblings American Sign Language professor at Arizona Western college, said she was immediately surprised when she first met them.

“Yeah I was completely shocked, when I saw them," Gary said. "They are the youngest students I’ve ever seen so they stood out to me for sure. These two college students were, they stood out like a gem to me.”

Gary added that their work ethic and maturity set them apart in class, despite being significantly younger than their peers.

"I'm very, very proud. Whatever assistance they needed with understanding something, I was there to help them because I could see their passion."

Lyra and Max have especially enjoyed learning American Sign Language, saying they appreciate the ability to communicate with and better understand the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

While they continue progressing through college coursework, both students are already thinking about what comes next.

“I want to move to Japan and work at EPIC Games as a creative producer for Fortnite," Lyra Olea said.

“I’m not exactly sure but I do know I want to do something with like exploring," Max Olea said.

The siblings are expected to walk the stage at Arizona Western College's graduation ceremony this May, marking an extraordinary achievement and the beginning of their next academic chapter.