A 19-year-old boy named Corey Patrick has been awarded a full scholarship and a brand new car for his commitment and dedication towards his studies.
In 2018, Corey made headlines when a bus driver in Alabama captured him dressed in his graduation cap and gown, walking alone to catch a city bus. He was on his way to his high school graduation.
”You tell me this ain’t determination, he got on my bus to go to his graduation, no one was with him. It’s all in what you want out of life, he didn’t have on the best but he was the best in my eyes! I was so proud of this black young man,” the driver captioned the post.
For the past years, Corey has been following the routine, waking up at 4:30 a.m. to begin his long journey.
After moving to the West End to live with his mother, Felicia White, he refused to let the distance or the lack of a car stop him from completing high school at Tarrant High, where he had studied since the fourth grade.
Each morning, he would walk over a mile just to reach the bus stop. Even getting home was a challenge—some days he would not return until after 6 p.m. But Corey never gave up, happily following the routine to school.
“Corey was getting up at 4:30 in the morning and had to be at the bus stop at 5:41 in the morning for the last year. Even when he would get out of school, he couldn’t get from that side of town until 5:19 when the bus runs back over there. So he doesn’t make it back this way until about 6:30 or 7 o’clock,” White said.
Finally, his graduation day came. Still without a ride, Corey put on his cap and gown and followed the same routine he had done all year, and attended the ceremony.
“I had to do what was necessary for me to walk this year,” he told WBRC. “When I woke up that day, I was just happy that today was the day that I was going to walk the stage and get my diploma,” Corey added.
As the image of Corey made its way across the internet, offers of support began to pour in. Among those moved by his story was comedian Rickey Smiley, who invited Corey onto his radio show.
There, he announced that Corey would be gifted a brand-new car, and with the help of his team at 95.7 Jamz, Smiley even helped him get his driver’s license.
Corey announced during the program that he had been awarded a full-ride scholarship to Jacksonville State University. He would be pursuing a degree in computer science and programming at the institution.
Reflecting on the journey, Corey expressed his gratitude for the support he received.
“I thank you all for the support, and just know that I appreciate you all. It does indeed ‘Takes A Village,” he said.
