There‘s a saying that determination is the key to success, and this young man from Alabama just proved it right. Corey Patrick spent the last year waking up at 4:30 in the morning to make a 90-minute bus ride to Tarrant High in Birmingham, AL, which he attended from 4th grade, so he‘d be able to graduate with his friends.
In his senior year of high school, 19-year-old Corey, along with his family, relocated to the West End neighborhood, approximately 10 miles away. Faced with the prospect of leaving his cherished friends and teachers, Corey summoned all his strength to complete high school alongside them. Due to the absence of a family car, Corey relied on a public bus, catching it every morning at 5:51.
On the day of his graduation, Corey adhered to his usual routine, but this time, he was adorned in his cap and gown. It was during this commute that bus driver DeJuanna Beasley noticed Corey walking alone and captured a photo that rapidly went viral. Beasley, moved by Corey’s solitary determination, shared the image on Facebook, praising his commitment to attending graduation despite being unaccompanied.
Beasley clarified that she took the photo not because she knew Corey, but because she was inspired by his resolute journey, navigating it alone without any support. Corey’s mother, Felicia White, confirmed that the family successfully reached Corey’s graduation in time.
Following the identification of Corey as the student in the viral photo, numerous people offered their support. The most significant surprise came from comedian Rickey Smiley, impressed by Corey’s perseverance. Smiley brought Corey onto his radio show, where it was announced that they would be gifting him a car with the assistance of fellow radio hosts from 95.7 Jamz.
While Corey is actively working towards obtaining his driver’s license, the radio crew pledged to assist him further. Corey also revealed on the show that he has received a full scholarship to Jacksonville University and plans to pursue a degree in computer science.
More info: Facebook
This photo of a student making his way to a bus stop alone so he could get to his graduation recently went viral
Image credits: Dee Bee
It was Corey Patrick who spent last year waking up at 4.30 AM to make a 90-minute bus ride to Tarrant High which he attended from 4th grade
19-year-old and his family moved to the West End neighborhood when he was in his senior year
He then decided that it‘d be too painful to leave his friends and teachers, and collected all his strength to finish it together with them
His determination didn’t go unnoticed by a comedian Rickey Smiley who had a big surprise for this amazing young guy
Image credits: Rickey Smiley
Since Corey’s family doesn‘t own a car and teen had to catch a public bus every morning before 6, Smiley announced he’s finally getting his own vehicle
Image credits: Marlei Martinez
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