Highschooler Who Was Left Homeless After His Mother Died Graduates Top Of His Class And Wins Full College Scholarship
By Dreamer
Liyjon DeSilva was abandoned after spending years living between different relatives following his mother’s death when he was just five years old.
Liyjon DeSilva was just five years old when he lost his mother (pictured with him as a baby)
But even while he was spending his nights sleeping in parking lots or on park benches in southwest Houston, Texas, he said he never considered missing school.
‘What else am I supposed to do? It was either be that or a low life, I could have thrown everything away,’ he told KTLA ‘I have a chance, why not just keep going?’
It would be three years before staff at Margaret Long Wisdom High School realized one of their top students was living on the streets.
Jonathan N. Trinh, the high school’s principal, was shocked when he discovered that one of his students was homeless and he and the rest of his staff decided to help.
With his own money, the principal paid for DeSilva to stay in a hotel while counselor Jessica Smith who was working for ‘Communities in Schools’ found someone willing to let DeSilva stay at their home rent free.
With a roof over his head, DeSilva could concentrate on his studies and in May, he graduated in the top five percent of his class.
Teacher Jaqueta Dunn was amazed by the student’s incredible work ethic despite his hardships.
‘It’s unusual to meet a kid who has so many challenges but still continues to push forward,’ she said.
As he stepped onto stage, in his hat and gown, the 20-year-old shared a hug with his principal who helped him turn his life around.
Learn more about his story in the video below...
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