Kymera Mitchell is not allowing autism to define her success. The 18-year-old Chicago autistic teen has been accepted into 19 colleges and universities with nine full scholarships and with over $530,000 in scholarship funding offers.
Mitchell was diagnosed with Autism at eight-years-old. After her diagnosis, doctors told Mitchell and her family that she would not be able to keep up academically with her peers. Fast-forward to 2023, and she has unquestionably proved doctors wrong with acceptance letters from institutions such as DePaul, Loyola, Howard University, Tuskeegee University, Hampton, University of Illinois Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.
“If someone or a group of people try to stop you, don’t let them do that because you are way better than that,” she told Chicago ABC7 in a recent interview. Mitchell also told CBS News that, “I feel accomplished. I feel stress-free.”
Per the Chicago Tribune, Mitchell graduated this May from the Alcott College Prep School in Chicago. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA an received over 20 academic awards.
And of course, without a doubt, her mother Kalaveeta Mitchell, is beyond proud of her child. Mitchell’s mother advocated and believed in her daughter when not everyone did.
“If you have a kid that’s autistic, never ever let anyone in the medical community or the school community tell you that your child ‘cannot’ anything,” Kalaveeta Mitchell told the Chicago Tribune. “There may be levels to what they can do, but I can assure you that they are, a lot of times, smarter than you.”
So, just what does Mitchell plan on studying in college? And, where has she decided to go?
Well, the young scholar has made the decision to pursue a career as a graphic designer. She plans to attend Columbia College Chicago in the fall to study fine arts.
Mitchell shared a few words of advice for other students who have disabilities: “Live your hopes and dreams as much as you can. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do this.”
We think everyone can benefit from those sage words! Congratulations, Kymera! We cannot wait to see what amazing things the future holds for you.
Photo Credit(s)/Featured Image: Kalaveeta Mitchell/GMA; @ykwnews Instagram; ABC7 Chicago News
