It won’t be long now before Joshua Nelson graduates from St. Charles West High School, but before the senior leaves the Missouri high school for the last time, he wants to give back to his community in one amazing way.
“The fact that I can just help somebody a little bit makes me feel great and I really want to see other people succeed.”
The 18-year-old who has plans to attend Southeast Missouri State’s pre-optometry program and major in bio-medical sciences, had been saving up for college.
But when he learned SEMO awarded him a scholarship, he wanted to use his savings for something else.
“I was really just blown away because I was not expecting that,” Yolanda Curry, the school’s counselor told KSDK.
Nelson wanted to use his $1,000 in savings to help another student attend college.
In the coming weeks, Nelson, along with his parents and teachers will sort through applications from those who apply for his scholarship. They hope that others will donate and increase the amount he is able to give another graduating student.
“I think he’s an inspiration to some of the other people at the school especially students of color,” Harmony Hudson, a classmate, said. “I don’t even think he realizes that he’s doing that much for everyone else as well.”
“I really thought it was important to give back to my community that poured in so much to me,” Nelson said.
What an incredible act of kindness. It takes a special kind of person to give something you’ve set aside for yourself to someone else. Way to go, Joshua! You’re an inspiration.
Share this inspiring story on Facebook.
