Louisiana Student Achieves Valedictorian Status Despite Homeless Situation
Elijah Hogan, a 19-year-old champion of Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans, attained the title of valedictorian with an impressive GPA of 3.93 in May. Telling CNN, Hogan shared his disbelief at his own achievements.
"I thought they had mistaken someone else for me when they told me this, but when I saw the evidence, I couldn't believe it. I was stunned, like my jaw had dropped completely," Hogan expressed.
This special young man, born and raised in New Orleans, except for a few years spent in Houston, was one of four African American male students to acquire the prestigious valedictorian spot in their respective New Orleans educational institutions this spring.
Having been kicked out of his grandmother's house when the lease ended and the property was sold, Hogan lost his roof over his head. He moved in with his grandmother aged 11 and they lived together till he became homeless due to the foreclosure.
"I had to leave her in a home for the elderly and I was displaced," Hogan told CNN.
Apart from his grandmother, he had no additional support or a place to call his home. He approached Covenant House, a facility in New Orleans run for youth and young adults between the ages 16-22, which provided him with a haven.
Covenant House's transitional housing program aided Hogan, where he could remain for up to 24 months without rent payments, utilizing this time to seize opportunities for education or work while saving. Rheneisha Robertson, the head of Covenant House New Orleans, shared that the facility helped five high school graduates accomplish this goal.
"It makes us more stable, so we can identify more permanent housing and focus on our schooling or jobs," Robertson revealed.
Hogan delivered an inspiring valedictorian speech, which was renowned for its uplifting words. He testified that the courage he drew from the staff at his homeless shelter and his high school's faculty enabled him to withstand his hardships and continue his academic journey.
"As time passed by, I started to open up about my circumstances to Covenant House employees as well as Cohen School managers. Everyone was there for me and helped me through these tough times," Hogan remembered.
Hogan's Covenant House case manager, Jarkayla Cobb, served as his pillar of strength, encouraging him despite his moments of self-doubt.
"She never gave up on me. She kept faith in me when I myself began to doubt myself," Hogan exclaimed.
Hogan's mother's demise nearly a decade ago fueled his motivation towards education, so that he could stand by his grandmother's side.
"I believe that's what she'd have wanted," Hogan expressed.
To hasten his future, Hogan will attend Xavier University in Cincinnati to peruse graphic design in the fall, with a scholarship covering his course charges.
Jerel Bryant, CEO of Collegiate Academies that manages Hogan's former high school, praised him effusively.
“Elijah’s success story reveals that it’s worthy of celebration. His accomplishments are a living proof that he holds exceptional qualities and has made concerted efforts in pursuit of his goals. It proves how capable and excellent young people in our nation truly are, no matter their ethnicity," said Bryant, in a statement.
For anyone struggling in a similar situation, Hogan offers these words of support.
“Whatever your skin color or dialect may be, know you're your own source of motivation. You're your own narrative, to be written upon as you choose," Hogan said.
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Despite his challenging homeless situation, Hogan shared with CNN that he was grateful for the support he received from Covenant House, allowing him to focus on his education and achieve valedictorian status.
Upon graduation, Hogan expressed gratitude to Covenant House's case manager Jarkayla Cobb, who never gave up on him and helped him overcome his self-doubts, providing him the motivation he needed to pursue his dreams.
