A New Orleans, Louisiana teenager defied the odds by becoming valedictorian of his high school while living in a homeless shelter.
Despite “stumbling and falling a few times” along the way, 19-year-old Elijah Hogan graduated at the top of his class from Walter L. Cohen High School last month. Good morning, America report.
A Louisiana student overcame obstacles to graduate from high school at the top of his class while living in a homeless shelter.https://t.co/H4H0RmXRX7
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 31, 2024
He began his high school career remotely and then in-person during the 2020 coronavirus lockdowns, all while living at Covenant House, a homeless shelter for youth.
“It was a tough, difficult experience. I stumbled and fell a few times. [but] “It’s OK,” Hogan told the outlet about his final year at the charter school.
Despite all of this, the youngster graduated with a near-perfect 3.93 GPA and is one of two valedictorians for Cohen High School’s Class of 2024.
During his commencement speech on May 24, he offered heartfelt “thanks” to the community for helping him succeed.
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“There were people who helped me out and without them I wouldn’t be here right now as valedictorian,” Hogan said.
He explained that the speech was “like a letter of thanks to the school, the staff, the students and their parents for helping us get to this place where we are now, finishing our school days, graduating and entering the workforce.”
Some of Hogan’s biggest supporters include Cohen’s student activities director, Jana DeCoster, and Jahkayla Cobb, a caseworker at Covenant House.
“Over time, I started to build relationships, I met some great people, I got to know a lot of people and I started to build relationships and trust with them,” the new graduate said.
DeCoster said how “special” it was that Hogan overcame such adversity with grace.
“All of our students have different levels of trauma and different experiences, and I think Elijah recognizes that while he certainly had adults on his side, all of our students who made it to graduation also had adults on their side,” DeCoster said. global“And to be thanked on such a big stage at graduation is unusual…It’s really special that he’s not just thinking about himself, but all of his classmates.”
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“Being in a homeless shelter is traumatic. Everything you went through to get here is traumatic,” Cobb added.
According to the caseworker, Hogan was “very shy” when they first met.
“At first my son was barely able to speak, but it’s been so amazing to see how much he’s grown and become a better speaker in the last seven or eight months since I’ve been able to be a part of his life and push and encourage him to try everything the world has to offer,” she explained.
Mott, 19, has his sights set on Xavier University in Louisiana, where he hopes to major in graphic design this fall.
Hogan had some advice for his classmates.
“There is a place and time to have fun, but at the same time, make sure you are organized around your education, because without it, you will never be able to overcome obstacles or meet the people who have helped you along the way,” he said.
