One of AACC’s youngest students—a 15-year-old transfer studies student—will graduate with the Class of 2018 on May 24.

Third-year student Torrington Davis Ford started studying science at AACC when he was 12 years old.

“[On] my first day … I wasn’t nervous but more like excited,” Torrington recalled. “I was like, you know, ‘I’m about to start my journey, start college.’ And it went pretty smooth for my first day. Surprisingly, nobody knew my age until maybe week five [or] week six.”

Come fall 2018, Torrington will study aviation at Ohio State University.

“Piloting has always been something that has intrigued me,” Torrington said. “I have always paid attention to stuff that could fly.

“If you put three toys in front of me—a G.I. Joe, a car and a plane—you can scoot those two over and give me the plane. I would play with it all day. So, piloting has always … just been a part of me.”

Torrington’s mother, Tarita Ford, is always on campus with him.

“I have enjoyed watching him blossom here on campus,” Ford explained. “But to actually watch him tackle his course work, stay on task, stay focused and at the same time [still be] a typical 13, 14, 15 year old. He has not lost his identity; he still holds on to his youth.”

Torrington will graduate from high school on May 25, the day after he graduates from AACC.