Homeless Student Becomes Valedictorian, Earns $3 Million in College Scholarships

It’s happened to all of us. When faced with overwhelming odds, sometimes the pressure builds to just give up, or fall back on the path of least resistance.

However, for one 17-year-old high school valedictorian, defeat was simply not an option. And despite facing odds that might be debilitating for anyone else, this young high school student managed to snatch victory from the jaws of crushing losses.

Tupac Mosley’s father passed away earlier this year, leading to his family falling behind on paying their bills. This eventually led to them being evicted from their Memphis, Tennessee home in February, according to FOX13.

While he was left mourning the death of his father and facing homelessness for most of the year, Mosley still managed to graduate from Raleigh Egypt High School this week with an outstanding 4.3 GPA.

In addition to graduating as school valedictorian, Mosley also received over 50 scholarships comprising more than $3 million prior to his graduation.

Mosley said he was shocked after far surpassing his goal and being accepted into more than 40 schools.

“When I heard that I got $3 million, I was more than elated and excited and astonished that it was that much.” 

During his graduation ceremony, Mosley credited the nonprofit group For the Kingdom for helping him get through tough times and allowing him to stay in a cabin at local campgrounds, which helped him to keep his college dreams alive, according to ABC7.

The nonprofit helps urban youth “get away from city life but not from the city” through workshops and camps, the group’s website explains.

Mosley told reporters that he was motivated by the support he received throughout his ordeal.

“I knew that I had to make them proud. I knew that their investment was worth it that and just show them that, yes, everything that you poured into me was worth $3 million and counting.”

The young man will begin studying for his degree in electrical engineering at Tennessee State University in Nashville this coming fall. While he has recently moved into permanent housing, he hopes his experience will motivate others to triumph in the face of adversity.

Mosley explained:

“Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances you’re going through, be a mountain that you can’t climb.”