Unschooler, Entrepreneur, Prodigy: The Story of Cole Summers

Kevin Cooper, known to the internet as Cole Summers, was taken from this world far too soon-he tragically died on June 11 in a kayaking accident. But in his 14 years of life, he accomplished more than most of us do in a lifetime.

At age 6, his parents handed him the reins to his own education, giving him the freedom to choose what to study. (He chose Warren Buffet videos on YouTube, because he wanted to learn how to get rich).

At age 7, he started his own business, breeding meat rabbits and selling them to restaurants. He set up a corporation and became the majority shareholder, just like a Silicon Valley startup.

At age 8, he got his first truck through trade with a neighbor-and discovered that an 8-year-old can in fact get a vehicle titled in their name.

At age 9, he bought a 350-acre ranch for $130 per acre to expand his business into breeding meat goats.

At age 10, he bought a house, which he then renovated and sold for a profit. He learned flooring, roofing, cabinet making, painting, and electrical work - again, from YouTube.

At age 14, he wrote an autobiography about his education called Don't Tell Me I Can't, a fitting title for what is essentially an ode to kids pushing the limits of what adults think is possible.

Kevin Cooper was the most ambitious and inspiring unschooler I have ever met.