UNLV’s winter graduation has teenage flavor — PHOTOS
Jack Rico, 15, was one of about 2,200 students eligible to participate in the ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday.

Jack Rico, a 15-year-old college graduate, shakes UNLV President Keith Whitfield's hand as he accepts his diploma during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Jack Rico, a 15-year-old UNLV graduate in history, enters his commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Jack Rico, a 15-year-old UNLV graduate in history, lines up to take the stage during his commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Jack Rico, a 15-year-old UNLV graduate in history, waves to family members in the audience during his commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV graduates proceed to their seats during their commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV graduates enter the Thomas & Mack Center for their commencement on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Some UNLV graduates decorated their caps for their commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV President Keith Whitfield congratulates graduates on their degrees during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Graduates turn to face the Army ROTC Color Guard as they enter the UNLV Winter 2021 commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV biology graduate Ryan Tobias, center, waves to friends and family during his commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV graduate Ashkia Aoun adorns her graduation cap with Christmas lights during her commencement ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV graduate Cierra Carodine stands in line to take the stage during their commencement ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV hospitality graduate Katie Derr is honored by President Keith Whitfield as an outstanding student during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. Her service dog, Stitch, joined her on stage. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

One UNLV graduate makes a statement with their footwear during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV education graduates exit the stage after accepting their diplomas during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV hospitality graduate Morgan Beasley, center, waves to family and friends during her commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV graduates line up to enter the Thomas & Mack Center for their commencement on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV fine arts graduates wear film with their gowns during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

One UNLV graduate wears a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

UNLV graduates with decorated caps wave to the audience during commencement at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Jack Rico, 15, joined a large graduating class during UNLV’s winter commencement ceremony Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Rico was one of about 2,200 students eligible to participate in the ceremony. He earned a bachelor’s degree with honors, possibly making him the youngest student ever to graduate from the university.
Jack, who lives in Huntington Beach, California, when not in Las Vegas, graduated with a 3.78 grade-point average and a degree in history.




