A picture of 13 old year Skyline student Mathew Weick in building five, The Learning Center.

“I would like to fix world problems but I have no idea how.” said 13 year old genius Mathew Weick.
Mathew is arguably the youngest student enrolled at Skyline College. With ambition and brains like his, one wouldn’t doubt that he would contribute to solving world problems one day.

In the meanwhile, he is challenging himself to take comprehensive college courses at Skyline to earn his high school certificate. Already in his third semester and on the right path, Mathew plans on graduating in a few years at the age of 15.

The child prodigy was home-schooled after the realization that he was far more advance than his peers in preschool. When preschoolers were learning subtraction and addition, Mathew was doing multiplication at home. In order for him to advance at his own pace, his family decided to try homeschool. Accomplishing school work from K-8th grade by age 11, lead his family to make another decision about his education progressing at a community college.

“Normal school has always been too slow for me. My family thought that this would be a better fit.”
Despite all the cliche memories that could be made in high school, he assured that he does not miss going to public schools. He has already comfortably adjusted himself on campus by being a member of thriving renown clubs such as MESA and the Honors Transfer club. All of which would add to his sparkling resume when he does apply to UC Berkeley in plans of double majoring into Biology and Physics. Age on campus does not seem to separate Mathew from other college students. He happens to be excelling in all his courses, especially in his favorite subjects Math and Science.

Different from most average 13 year olds by a long stretch, Mathew still has similar hobbies. When he does get a chance to relax he claims he is a big procrastinator. Procrastination in Mathew’s dictionary consists of having his nose stuck in a book before starting his homework, indulging food or enhancing his fencing skills. Humble Mathew projected that he is not very good at the sport because he has been switching weapons a lot. There are three different types of fencing: foil, épée and saber. In which, each type has different target areas and different weapons. He started the sport when he was nine and expresses that he thoroughly enjoys it mainly because it is very strategic.

Even during his hobbies, his brain benefits from all the literature and exercise. You may think his developmental aptitude may interfere with having a normal adolescence, but his passion for academics overtakes his social life. He enjoys having a social life but not taking advantage of higher education would make him feel incomplete.

What’s most compelling about him is how mature he is compared to most preteens. He exudes so much intelligence and poise you probably would’ve thought he was of age. These characteristics are also some reasons why his friends speak so highly of him.

“If he comes across an obstacle, he’ll find ways to get around it and having the ability to do this will do very well for his future.” said good friend Min Tan. “Mathew is a young and bright kid with numerous opportunities ahead of him.”