Meet Artiola Thana: An 8th grader balancing college courses, sports and big dreams
Balancing school, sports, hobbies and friendships is no small feat at any age, but especially for an 8th grader who’s also taking college-level courses.
Meet Artiola Thana, an ASU Preparatory Academy Polytechnic Middle School student who began taking Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses in just sixth grade. With a perfect 4.0 GPA in her college coursework and five college courses she’ll complete by the end of Fall 2025, she’s proving what’s possible with dedication, curiosity and the right support system.
Artiola’s academic achievements
Starting with college mathematics and maintaining a GPA of 4.0 for her college courses, Thana will have completed five college courses by the end of Fall 2025. This does not include the fact that Thana has also been involved in extracurricular activities such as volleyball, the National Junior Honor Society, cheerleading, track and field, the pre-med club, follows an intensive workout training regimen, dances at the Fred Astaire studio and is actively learning Mandarin Chinese. Thana’s abilities surpass what one might expect of even a prodigy.
Family support and advocacy
After hearing about ASU Prep’s educational system from other parents and colleagues, Aldera Thana, Artiola’s mother, enrolled her daughter in the Academy. Aldera credits her daughter’s tenacity to inspiration from her grandfather and the incredible staff at ASU Prep.
“I believe ASU Prep offers endless opportunities for students,” Aldera said. “Our daughter was able to take college classes in sixth grade, something that only happened because I advocated for her, even when others advised me to wait. Every child is different, and being actively involved helps you truly understand and support their unique abilities.”
When asked how her daughter does it, she explained, “She manages it all through strong self-discipline, a genuine love for learning and great time management.” Thana continued, “She’s incredibly driven, sets clear goals for herself and stays organized, even while juggling multiple languages, club sports, extracurriculars and advanced coursework.” Thana said the most important factor was that her daughter stays passionate and curious.
Aritola agrees, saying her vast versatility in learning and extracurriculars stem from her fascination with different cultures:
“I genuinely have a passion for learning new skills and growing, which is why my hobbies align with travel. Immersing myself in different cultures helps me learn, grow and become a better person who can contribute positively to the world.”
Making new friends
Artola also shared that making new friends and her amazing teachers at ASU Prep have been wonderful, and some of her favorite memories are tied to volleyball. What she loves the most about being an ASU Prep student is the endless opportunities that can expand her education.
“These courses have really helped me develop independent problem-solving skills. I manage my workload by using any free time I have—whether after school or on weekends—to stay on track.” She says she takes every opportunity to get ahead, no matter what.
What the future holds
Aritola wants to pursue a career as a lawyer because she has always been drawn to solving mysteries and uncovering the truth. The challenge of piecing together information and finding solutions truly excites her, and she plans to pursue law school, as she’s working to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management before graduating high school.
Unwavering support
Artiola says Katie Dukes, ASU Prep Polytechnic STEM high school’s counselor and social worker, has been instrumental in helping her balance her ASU Prep schedule while preparing for a future in business. Her mother also added that Dukes’ sharp insight, deep knowledge and unwavering support have been invaluable to Artiola’s journey.
“When you talk about a student dedicated to their studies, showing perseverance and being college and career ready – Arti is the epitome of every school counselor’s dream,” Dukes said, adding that Aritola is incredibly kind, leads with a strong heart and doesn’t shy away from any challenge.
Artiola’s advice for fellow students who might like to walk in her footsteps: Stay close to your teachers, counselors, parents and create a plan of success to execute on.
On top of her accolades and accomplishments at such a young age, Artiola’s curiosity and finding joy in what she does are what fuel her journey to continue exploring different paths.
Want to learn more about ASU Preparatory Academy and its innovative college-prep programs?
Explore our ASU Prep Polytechnic or other academic programs in the ASU Prep Network to see how we prepare students for college, careers and beyond, or read more inspiring stories like Artiola’s.
