New Orleans Teen Graduates Top Of His Class While Homeless

Elijah Hogan was named valedictorian of Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans and graduated last month with a 3.93 GPA. And somehow he did it while experiencing homelessness.

Hogan, 19, told CNN that even he was in disbelief when he learned what he had accomplished. 

“I thought they were mistaking me for someone else, but when I looked at it and I was shown evidence that it was me, I was in awe, like, I was jaw dropped,” he said.

Hogan, who moved in with his grandmother when he was 11, became homeless when the lease on her house expired a year and a half ago. The homeowner decided to sell the property and gave Hogan and his grandmother 30 days to vacate the house.

“From there, I made the executive decision to live on my own to lighten my grandmother’s burden,” he told CNN.

When his grandmother moved into a care home for the elderly, Hogan, whose mother died just before he turned 12, became a resident of Covenant House, a homeless shelter in New Orleans serving youth and young adults.

Covenant House allows young people to stay at the shelter up to 24 months rent-free, giving them time to focus on their studies. Officials told WDSU that Hogan is one of at least five others who live at the shelter who graduate from high school this year. 

"My main challenge was fitting in. There were a lot of obstacles I went through. But I was able to confront them head-on," Hogan said to WDSU.

He told the local news outlet that he has many people to thank for getting him to where he is today. 

"One of them is the Covenant House. Without their help, I wouldn't be here where I am,” Hogan said. “The other is my family members. They are out of state, but I still have a connection with them.”

Hogan has a full ride to Xavier University in the fall, where he will major in graphic design.

“Elijah's accomplishments are worth celebrating. We know that they are a product of his character and the choices he made day after day to pursue his dreams,” Collegiate Academies CEO Jerel Bryant said in a statement. “His success is also a testament to how capable and excellent our Black youth are—in New Orleans and across this country. When we give them support and the opportunity to shine, they do. I hope Elijah's story energizes educators and community leaders to keep pouring into our youth. They deserve the best.”

Speaking with CNN, Hogan offered the following advice to young people: “To any race, no matter what color or accent you have, you are your own guiding light. You are your own storybook that you write. Let yourself be the pen that you write on paper.”

Congratulations, Elijah!