Eli Henderson, a freshman majoring in computer science from Washington, is defying the common belief that knowledge comes with age. At only 16 years old, Henderson is already well into his freshman year at BYU-Hawaii and has big plans for his future.“I just didn’t feel like I was progressing academically as fast as I wanted to,” Henderson said of his high school years. Halfway through his sophomore year of high school, Henderson decided it was time to move on and tested out of the last two remaining years of high school.Henderson explained, “To get into college at 16, like me, there is a lot of work that has to be done. I actually had to take some extra online courses in addition to standard high school. So I did work very hard, and that allowed me to get a bit of a jump on college.”Henderson chose BYUH to get away from the rain of the Pacific Northwest. “Also, it’s sort of a family thing,” he added. “Both my parents met at BYUH and my two older brothers went here.”Although Henderson is in his first semester of college, he is certain about his major. “Computers have always interested me,” he said when asked why he chose to major in computer science. “I think I grew that love from my father, who is a software engineer, and it’s just always fascinated me.”In his spare time, Henderson likes to analyze video games and rewrite their codes. “I’ve thought about making my own video game, and I’m trying to make one right now,” he added.After he graduates from BYUH, Henderson plans to apply for graduate school. He hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps, and attend graduate school in England. “I’ve thought about BYU in Provo, but I’d like to attend Cambridge or Oxford University,” Henderson said. “I would definitely like to become a software developer, but I’d also like to start my own business one day.”Henderson has had to overcome some obstacles to get where he is today but that has not deterred him from accomplishing his goals. His greatest accomplishment thus far has been completing his Eagle Scout requirements, said Henderson. “One of my greatest weaknesses, in my opinion, is I have a difficult time interacting with other people. I was home schooled for a lot of my life, so when I was younger I didn’t get the social skills I needed to develop myself,” Henderson explained. “So for my Eagle project, I had to do a lot of talking to other people and I overcame that weakness, and that has made a significant difference in me.”Young Henderson has some sage advice that has helped him throughout his life. “Be in the world and not of it,” he said. “Don’t listen to other people. Respect other people’s opinions, but don’t let them change the course of your life. If you have an idea, pursue it, work towards your goals, and don’t let other people criticize you to oblivion.”
Writer: Emily Halls ~ Multimedia Journalist
