MADISON – Mercy Wolverton, 17, defies the stereotypical image of a teenager without ambition, action and goals. Mercy already has aced those attributes.

Mercy’s outlook and successes reach even great heights because she deals with high-functioning autism. On her Facebook page, Mercy describes herself as “I am Mercy, a highschooler, ‘kidprenuer,’ maker and future ethical hacker.”

Mercy has met the challenges of 21st-century technology. In 2020, Mercy won a grant for manufacturing ear guards for medical professionals around the country, Mercy’s mother Jennifer C. Wolverton said. Wolverton is affiliated with Log Cabin Schoolhouse.

Using 3D printers, Mercy manufactured two full suits of armor for Mandalorian and Task Master warriors from the “Star Wars” saga. “Mercy won a second grant for building a BB8 robot to take to area children’s hospitals while wearing her Mandalorian suit. (The visits) were a senior give-back to her hometown before going to college,” Jennifer said.

“Mercy can speak to her own projects and business. She advocates for herself very well and, with the business, even talks to partnering businesses regularly,” Jennifer said.

In digital outreach, Mercy virtually tutors coding to approximately 20 home-schoolers who do not have access to STEM teachers. These students live across the United States.

In addition, she teaches AOPS pre-algebra virtually to teenagers in the United States and Canada. (AOPS represents ‘Art of Problem Solving,’ a gifted math curriculum and program.) Currently, Mercy is enrolled in calculus 3 at Calhoun Community College.

“Mercy is bringing on more teen friends to help her handle her growing, coding clientele,” Jennifer said. In person at an area library, Mercy is teaching AP CSP to middle-school, home-school students. (AP CSP represents ‘Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles,’ the first computer class typically offered at the AP level in high school.)

Mercy took and passed both AP CSP and AP CSA simultaneously in 10th grade. (AP CSA is advanced-placement computer science A, the next-level computer course that stands at the college level for content but offered in many American high schools.)

“Mercy chose to donate her time teaching AP CSP as her senior-year volunteer work. The families are saving hundreds thanks to her decision,” Jennifer said.

For her senior year, Mercy was admitted to The Knowledge Society, which is a company that builds up future entrepreneurs and innovators. She successfully met application requirements and now is in collaboration with 30 teenagers around the world.

In another sideline pursuit, Mercy has started speaking at home-school conventions to help mothers learn ways to give their children an excellent tech education.

On graduation, she will have approximately 70 college credits, which include numerous computer courses. When she enters college, Mercy plans to study cybersecurity for her bachelor’s degree.