Homeless Black Teenager Graduates High School as Valedictorian

A Louisiana teenager living in a homeless shelter graduated at the top of his high school class.

According to Hello America, Elie Hogan19, was named one of the valedictorians of Walter L. Cohen High School's Class of 2024.

Hogan accomplished this feat while living at Covenant House, a homeless shelter that serves young people under the age of 22 in New Orleans. He finished his studies with a GPA of 3.93.

During his graduation speech, Hogan said it was “a letter of thanks to the school, staff, students and their parents for helping us rise above our senior years.” school and get us to where we are currently graduating. in the world.

Hogan also thanked Jarkayla Cobbhis Rites of Passage social worker at Covenant House.

Cobb said she saw Hogan come out of his shell during her years at the shelter.

“Being in a homeless shelter is traumatic. Everything you went through to get here is traumatic,” Cobb told GMA.

“He was very shy,” she continued. “He had very few words at first, so it's just great to see how much he's developed and become so well-spoken over the last seven or eight months that I've been a part of his life and that I was able to push and encourage him to pursue everything the world has to offer.

Hogan plans to attend Xavier University in the fall and major in graphic design.

The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on iHeartRadio app or click HERE to listen live.