12-year-old to graduate from high school and college in the SAME WEEK

He’d already sped ahead other kids his age when he entered high school when most of his contemporaries were just starting middle school. 

Mike then signed up for several dual enrollment classes, which worked toward credits at his high school as well as the local community college.

Soon, he realized that if he just took a few more of those dual enrollment classes, he could earn his two-year associate’s degree at the same time as his high school diploma.

Not only did he pull that off, but he did it at the top of his class. On May 21, he’ll graduate from community college with a 4.0 GPA, and on May 28, he’ll graduate from high school at the top of his class with a 5.4 GPA.  

And even though he is considerably younger than his classmates, Mike said he gets along well with them, and was even nominated to Homecoming Court last year.

In addition to several job offers, he’s weighing continuing schooling at two two North Carolina colleges, and has also been offered a fellowship to work on his startup.

According to the website, his startup — called Reflect Social — ‘combines popular social media platforms with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, providing a new dynamic social experience.’

‘I take great pride in using my skills in support of our military men and women,’ he told Southern Living. ‘If what I can provide protects or gives an advantage to our troops and brings just one soldier home safely to their family, then my efforts are well worth it.’

A self-proclaimed ‘the math and science guy’ who is into robotics and technology, Mike got his first iPad at 18 months and was getting into computer programming by age five. 

He is deciding what to do next, choosing from two colleges, several job offers, and a fellowship to work on his startup

He still enjoys things that other kids do, and likes to play basketball, swim, and build with Legos

‘That’s where I really jump-started everything,’ he told WCNC. ‘I’ve grown from there to now learning about a dozen languages.

‘Everything that I know is self-taught,’ he added. ‘So trial and error and online videos and everything.’ 

‘If one door’s locked, he’ll find out another way around to figure out how to accomplish his goals,’ his mother, Melissa Wimmer, gushed.

Though his parents are thrilled with his academic accomplishments, they are happy to see him do well in other areas, too. 

‘That social and soft skill side of him I think, is the part that’s really grown and really impressed us even much more than just the academics for sure,’ his dad, Mark Wimmer, said. 

In fact, even has he excels in the classroom, he still enjoys things that other kids do, and likes to play basketball, swim, and build with Legos. 

‘A lot of people think I’ve given up my childhood or somehow lost it,’ Wimmer said. ‘And I say to them that I’m having the time of my life.

‘I am still a kid and still do 12-year-old things. I pride myself on being able to have a business Zoom meeting one minute, and the next, logging a couple of miles on my knees while playing with Hot Wheels,’ he added.