Meet 17 Year Actuary Prodigy Hazel Ntuli

Hazel Ntuli finished college at just 17 years old. The teenager earned her actuarial science degree from University of Pretoria. She became one of the youngest people ever to graduate from the school. Her story started back in third grade when she accidentally took a fourth grade math test. She scored better than all the actual fourth graders on that exam.

Her teacher saw how smart Hazel was, and gave her harder math problems to solve. The family decided to keep her abilities secret from most people. They worried others might treat her differently or question her success. Hazel said hiding her true self was the hardest part of growing up gifted. She felt pressure to act normal around friends, and classmates.

College life brought new challenges for the young student. She had to learn different ways to study because high school methods did not work anymore. Her classmates were much older, but she made friends easily. Hazel still enjoys activities that other teenagers like. She watches TV shows, reads books, plays tennis, and dances in her room.

The new graduate wants to earn a business degree next. Her parents can finally brag about their daughter's amazing accomplishments. Hazel feels proud of how far she has traveled on her educational journey.