Hostos' Class of 2025 Youngest Graduate, De’Anni Ruiz, Rewrites the Rules of What’s Possible

At just 15 years old, De’Anni Ruiz is making history as the youngest graduate in the Hostos Community College Class of 2025, an extraordinary feat that reflects both her relentless drive and the spirit of her South Bronx roots. In a city where teens her age are just beginning to navigate high school, Ruiz walked across a college commencement stage, associate degree in hand, with law school already in her sights.
   
Born and raised in the South Bronx, Ruiz is one of five siblings in a Puerto Rican household where community, resilience, and pride are ever-present. Her academic path took flight early: she skipped the second grade, arrived at high school with 10 credits already completed, and quickly found herself on an accelerated trajectory. She transferred into the Early College Initiative at Hostos Lincoln Academy of Science two months late and had to make up for lost time fast. “That first semester was rough. I thought it would define me. But I realized I’m so much more than one difficult start.”
   
What followed was a whirlwind of fast-paced growth. Ruiz was offered the chance to graduate early and pursue college-level coursework, an opportunity she didn’t take lightly. While most students her age were worried about homework and after-school activities, she was enrolling in college courses, managing six classes a semester, and navigating a college campus alongside adults twice her age. “It was scary at first,” she admits. “I remember my first day. I got lost ten times. Everyone seemed so tall, and I felt so small.”
 
However, Ruiz adapted quickly and began to thrive. The Early College Initiative became her academic lifeline. “They made sure we had everything: books, support, and even Polaroid cameras to capture our journey,” she says. “It wasn’t just the classes that made this experience special. It was the guidance of people like Elizabeth and Domenica, two wonderful guides.”
 
What truly sets Hostos apart, Ruiz says, is how it empowers young people through access and care. “Not a lot of colleges give young people the chance to really step into higher education and feel supported,” she explains. “Hostos gave me guidance, structure, and a place to grow. It wasn’t just about earning credits, but learning how to navigate college life with people who believed in me. Now I know that when I go out into the world, I have the tools to succeed on my own, because I had them first here.” For Ruiz, Hostos is more than a school: it’s her first home in a higher learning environment. “Even the little things, like the cultural events or festivals, made me feel like I belonged.”  
The courses that left the deepest impression were characterized by their creativity and sense of community. Ruiz cites Humanities courses as the classes that first shifted her perception of learning. “We had to do our assignments through Instagram posts, finding historical images and writing about them. It was different, fun, and so engaging.” Then came an acting class with Professor Ángel Morales, who made performance feel alive and accessible. “He was so trendy. I loved his energy. He made me enjoy something I never thought I would.” Finally, “Bronx Beautiful,” a course focused on exploring the complexity and richness of her home borough, which Rocío Rayo, Transfer Services Director, taught, cemented her commitment to community uplift. “I never realized how much there was to love about the Bronx until that class,” she says. “Yes, there are challenges, but there’s beauty too, and I want to be someone who represents that.”
 
Now preparing to attend Lehman College, Ruiz plans to study Political Science and Criminal Justice, with her sights set on law school and systemic change. “The system is broken, especially for people from the Bronx. I want to change that.”
 
When asked what she would tell other young people who might doubt their potential, Ruiz doesn’t hesitate: “You are your biggest supporter. No one will believe in you the way you can believe in yourself. Go after what you want, even if it’s scary, even if it’s hard. It’s worth it.”
 
With a maturity well beyond her years, Ruiz stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when determination, support, and opportunity intersect. And while Hostos Community College may be the first institution to welcome her, it won’t be the last to be transformed by her presence.