Elijah Hogan, a 19-year-old Houston, Texas native who is inspirational and driven, has overcome great adversity to flourish academically. Elijah received one of the highest honours at Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans, where he graduated with an impressive 3.93 GPA, despite the extreme hardship of experiencing homelessness just one year prior to his high school graduation. His academic career was a tale of perseverance in the face of insurmountable obstacles, not simply about academics. When his grandmother’s lease expired and they had to vacate their house, Elijah’s life took a drastic shift. He bravely decided to live on his own after having no other choice and sought refuge at the Covenant House, a homeless shelter designed especially for children and young people.
Elijah’s achievement was greatly aided by the Covenant House, which gave him a secure environment in which to concentrate on his studies and personal development. He was able to get food, a bed, and necessary support services at the shelter. He ascribed a large portion of his academic achievement to the supportive atmosphere created by Covenant House staff and his high school instructors, who assisted him in overcoming the challenges of homelessness.
Through times of self-doubt, Elijah’s case manager, Jarkayla Cobb, was crucial in helping him stay on course and never lose sight of his objectives. Elijah’s tale of tenacity was further enhanced when he was recognised as one of four Black male valedictorians in his graduating class, demonstrating his unwavering commitment. Elijah’s dedication to his studies remained unwavering in spite of the psychological and emotional toll that going through such personal hardships had. He has revealed that losing his mother when he was twelve inspired him to overcome obstacles for both himself and his grandma, who had always been a pillar of support.
Speaking with humility and appreciation, Elijah thanked everyone who had helped him along the way in his farewell speech. He underlined the need of tenacity and exhorted everyone going through a difficult time to keep going forward despite the difficulties. You have the power to overcome your limitations because you are the bulldozer. “Continue moving forward without hesitation,” he advised his peers.
Elijah has been given a full scholarship to Xavier University, where he intends to major in graphic design, making his future even more promising. Beyond simply obtaining a degree, he also aspires to publish his own comic book, which he is committed to achieving upon graduation. Elijah’s story is a remarkable illustration of how one may overcome hardship, realise their goals, and encourage others to never give up.
CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Allschoolaabs
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