A Tennessee valedictorian received more than $3 million in college scholarships—despite being homeless.
Tupac Mosley graduated this month from Raleigh Egypt High School in Memphis and received more than 50 scholarships, totaling about $3 million, all while not having a fixed address and living on a campsite.
The 17-year-old said he might never have made it to college had it not been for the nonprofit organization For the Kingdom.
A camp and retreat center designed to help disadvantaged children and teenagers in the Memphis area, For the Kingdom provided Mosley with a place to live after he became homeless following his father's death.
"After my father passed, [my family] fell behind on bills and we ended up getting evicted from our home February 21 of this year," Mosley told Fox 13. "So, we went to different homes...and we were blessed to have For the Kingdom. "
On its website, the organization said it aimed, through camps and retreats, to provide year-round experience to all youths, allowing them to "get away from city life but not from the city."
Mosley was preparing to leave the campsite and move into a permanent home following his graduation.
Despite being homeless, Mosley managed to keep a 4.3 GPA and will attend Tennessee State University in Nashville, where he will major in electrical engineering.
Speaking to students and teachers on Sunday, the honor student admitted he was overwhelmed by the number of scholarships he had received.
"When I heard that I got $3 million, I was more than elated and excited and astonished that it was that much," he said.
As he thanked his teachers for believing in him, he also urged current and future students not to let personal circumstances stand between them and securing a spot at a higher education institution.
"I knew that I had to make them proud. I knew that their investment was worth that and just show them that—yes, everything that you poured into me was worth $3 million and counting," the student said.
"Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances you're going through, be a mountain that you can't climb."
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Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more
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