Chelesa Fearce is a shining example of a student that didn’t let obstacles get in her way when it came to her education. You see, during most of Chelesa’s high school career she was homeless and living in her mother’s car. Chelesa, a senior at Charles Drew High School in Clayton County, Georgia, knew that her hard work would pay off, despite the obstacles presented to her.
“I just told myself to keep working, because the future will not be like this anymore,” Fearce said. “You’re worried about your home life and then worried at school. Worry about being a little hungry sometimes, go hungry sometimes. You just have to deal with is. You eat what you can, when you can.”
Although her family occasionally lived in an apartment, because of her mother’s lay-offs, they took refuge in shelters. “Ended up back in another shelter because I got laid off from my job maybe about four or five times,” Fearce’s mother, Reenita Shephard said. “I just did what I had to do,” Fearce said.
None of that stopped Chelesa from achieving a 4.466 GPA and a 1900 SAT score. On top of her regular high school course load, Chelesa was able to enroll in college courses during her last two years of high school. When she enters Spelman in the fall, she will do so as a college junior. Brains apparently run in the family. Chelesa’s sister is graduating from George Washington Carver High School as a salutatorian.
“I read to them a lot. Everything was a learning experience,” Shephard said. “Don’t give up. Do what you have to do right now so that you can have the future that you want,” Chelesa said.
Related Stories:
- From Homeless to College Grad: Story of Joshua Williams Inspires
- Homeless Teen Drew Gooch Earns Full Scholarship To College in Tennessee
article by Yesha Callahan via clutchmagonline.com
Just love seeing true success stories like this..You go Chelsea GO..Many an adult could learn from her drive & motivation!
Amen!
Reblogged this on pinkpig7 and commented:
IAM SO IMPERESSED WITH THIS FAMILY, AT LEAST THE WORD FAMILY CAN GREATLY BE USED HERE, WHAT A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF LIFE, KEEPING YOURSELF CLEAN, CLOTHES CLEAN, EAT WHAT YOU REALLY NEED , TRY AND LAUGH, LOOK AT WHAT YOU TRUELY HAVE, WHAT A WIZ, GOD BLESS………………..
I thank you for this blog you have written for arousing my deep-sleep passion on my studies. Actually, I am one of those who aspire to be the Valedictorian of our class. I will bear all these advices and I will crave for the huge success and won’t let any obstacles be an hindrance to it. To Chelesea, Just keep it up girl, there will be no loss if you will continue to work hard on in your studies, and for sure, God will help you to grab those aspirations you are wishing for to happen in your life. God bless and more power.
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your story and how Chelesa’s story has inspired you. More power to you as well!
Reblogged this on conkrite6.
[…] Homeless High School Teen Chelesa Fearce Graduates As Valedictorian & Will Enter Spelman As Juni… […]