Anthaea-Grace Patricia Dennis is not your average 12-year-old girl. She has accomplished what many people twice her age may not even dream of achieving. She has become Canada’s youngest person ever to graduate from college, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa in June 2023.
Starting the university program at the tender age of 9, Anthaea completed the rigorous program within just three years. However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for this young prodigy. She faced prejudice and expectations about her demeanor and speech in the university, but she chose to rise above it all. “I’m going to be happy for myself too, not just for other people,” she proudly told CBC News. “I am proud of myself for getting to this point, despite all the hurdles and blocks that there have been for a person like me.”
Besides her academic excellence, Anthaea is also an accomplished violinist who enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her cats. She has already established herself as a researcher. She completed a 40-page thesis exploring the relationship between functional activity in the cerebellum and handedness and presented her findings at the Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology Symposium.
It’s clear that this young girl has a wide range of interests and talents that have helped her get this far. Her ultimate dream is to have her own research lab and lead a team of like-minded researchers.
“I’m very motivated by the fact that I can be the first (to do) something,” Anthaea says, clearly embodying the spirit of a true trailblazer. “You know, being able to show other young, gifted, and talented people that something like this is possible, that you can get through these roadblocks, has always been something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
The clever student had her mother as her support system, a law professor and single mother who’s been there for her every step of the way. With that kind of support and encouragement, it’s no wonder Anthaea has been able to achieve so much at such a young age.
Africa Giant showcasing her incredible accomplishments is about a young girl who defied the odds, fought against prejudice and expectations to excel academically. It’s important to remember that the next generation of bright minds is out there, and they’re capable of achieving incredible things with hard work and dedication.
