Alena Wicker – a genius 12-year-old who has graduated from High School after thriving in her homeschool classes, wants to shoot for the stars and work for NASA!

Already accepted into university, Alena plans to attend Arizona State University, bringing her a step closer towards her goal in becoming a NASA engineer.

Dr. Daphne McQuarter, Alena’s mom, shared, “At four years old she said, ‘I’m going to work at NASA and I’m going to go up there.’ She would point to the stars.”

Even as an infant, Alena had the spirit of an engineer. Her first experience with building started with Legos, which turned into a passion for creating structures.

McQuarter said, “She just had a gift for numbers and Legos and science, so I started nurturing that gift.”

Alena will have a double major in Astronomical and Planetary Science and Chemistry. She is set to finish her studies and graduate university at 16-years-old. Furthermore, her aim is to start her work for NASA at 16-years-old.

Already the youngest member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Alena expressed, “I always dreamed of being an engineer because throughout my life I liked building.”

Not slowing down anytime soon, Alena has launched a resource platform for Black girls in STEM, “The Brown Stem girl”, a hoodie line, and plans to launch a podcast and a children’s book called ‘Brainiac World’.

“I just had a goal that I wanted to get to,” Alena said. “It doesn’t matter what your age or what you’re planning to do. Go for it, dream, then accomplish it.”

We couldn’t agree more! We wish her all the best.