14-Year-Old UWA Student

Monday brought students at the University of West Alabama back to class. However, for one freshman, the day was far from usual.

At age 14, Mikica Davis is the youngest member of the incoming freshman class at UWA. It's unusual, but not surprising to the people who know her best.

"Not really, because all of her life she has been eager to do things and all the things she did were different," said John Davis, Mikica's grandfather.

When it comes to being different, Mikica's grandfather says this trend started at early age. In fact, he says her great grandmother often read to her as a baby. Mikica started reading words at just 22 months old.

While attending high school at Southern Choctaw, Davis was promoted by two grades to the tenth grade at the age of 13.

"I'm up for the challenge and I'm going to be afraid, naturally, but I'm up for the challenge," said Mikica.

Given her character and score of 25 on the ACT, school officials agree.

"When Mikica came for her interview with the admissions committee, they thought that she was emotionally mature and intellectually mature and that she could definitely handle the challenges that the university would give her," said Meaghan Gordon, UWA's director of public relations.

The university is offering Mikica some challenges as she pursues a degree in English. As for her schedule, it's composed of mostly honors classes.

"I do feel pressure, and it's natural to feel pressure, but I believe I can overcome it because I'm getting used to everything," Davis said.

Her grandparents are helping her to make the transition by relocating. Because Mikica is still a minor and too young to drive or live on campus, her grandparents are now renting housing in Livingston so they can assist Mikica in every way possible. The family is also maintaining its home in Melvin, Ala., which is a financial sacrifice.

Because of these sacrifices, Mikica says she's determined not to let her family or herself down.

"I expect to do good and I expect not to faint! I can handle it," she said.

Mikica says she hopes to one day become an attorney.

By the way, this is not the first time UWA has enrolled a 14-year-old freshman. It happened 40 years ago. That student is now a pediatrician.