This 14-year-old boy, like any other teenager, was excited about his graduation ceremony. He wanted to make sure that he would walk across the stage and get his diploma. But unfortunately, at the last moment, things started going awry.
But this young man was determined and somehow found a way to attend.
14-year-old Xavier Jones from St. Louis walked six miles from his home to his graduation ceremony last week because he was determined to walk across the stage and claim the diploma that he had worked so hard for.
“If you want something done, you gotta go ahead and do it yourself,” Xavier said.
The 14-year-old was a student at Yeatman Middle School, but the ceremony was being held at Harris-Stowe State University. He was counting on his grandfather to give him a ride, but at the last minute, his car stopped working, leaving Xavier in a tough situation.
“I was going to tell an adult, but my grandpa’s car was down. So, I was just going to walk there,” the young man said.
His grandfather nor the school staff were aware of Xavier’s plan to walk to the graduation ceremony.
“I looked up Harris-Stowe University on Google Maps, and then I saw the walking distance, and then I said, ‘I could probably make it,’” Xavier later explained. Xavier asked him brother and a friend to walk along with him. The young man simply said, “I wanted to walk across the stage.”
When they heard the young man’s story, the college administrators were so moved that they promised him a full-ride scholarship to Harris-Stowe State University once he completed high school in four years. What an amazing thing to have happened! The young man truly deserved it.
Dr. Latonia Collins Smith, President of Harris-Stowe State University, said Xavier’s story is a reminder of the obstacles many students face. She said the young man’s determination is something people can learn from.
“Many of our students come with a story, and many of our students come with environmental barriers they have overcome or that they are currently overcoming,” Collins Smith said. The full-ride scholarship will cover Xavier’s cost of tuition, fees, and all books someday.
“I just led with my heart, and I followed my heart, and my heart said, ‘This is a kid that needs a scholarship,’” Collins Smith said about the story. Later Xavier was given a tour of his potential future alma mater. For now, the 14-year-old’s ambition is to become a NASCAR driver once he finishes college.
“At the end of the rainbow, there’s a pot of gold. I learned a lot from Xavier that day,” Collins Smith said. “Even on your worst day, keep pressing forward.”
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This is such a wonderful story. We send this young man our best wishes and pray for his continued success! Share this heartwarming story with your friends and family to make them smile today!
