A 19-year-old homeless boy named Elijah Hogan has become the top graduating student at his high school. Elijah, who is from Houston, became homeless a year before finishing school. Still, he worked hard and graduated from Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans with a 3.93 GPA. He was one of four Black male students named valedictorian. Elijah said he was shocked by the news and found it hard to believe at first. “I thought they were mistaking me for someone else, but when I saw the proof, I was surprised. My mouth dropped,” he said.
Elijah Hogan, a 19-year-old from Houston, became homeless during his final year of high school but still managed to graduate as the top student at Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans with a 3.93 GPA.
Elijah had been living with his grandmother since age 11. However, they were forced to leave their home when the property owner sold the house. With only 30 days to move out, Elijah decided to live on his own to ease his grandmother’s burden. While she moved into a care home, Elijah had no place to stay—until his grandmother told him about the Covenant House, a homeless shelter for youth aged 16–22. He’s been living there ever since.
The Covenant House gave him a safe space to focus on school—offering free housing, meals, and support. Elijah said, “Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to finish my high school years. They gave me a place to stay, to eat, and sleep.”
In his valedictorian speech, Elijah spoke about the tough journey and how he found strength in the support he received from the shelter staff and his school teachers. “As time went on, I started to open up. People were there to guide me. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
He credited much of his success to his case manager, Jarkayla Cobb, saying, “She never gave up on me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Elijah lost his mother at the age of 12 and said that tragedy motivated him to push harder in school for his grandmother. Now, with a full-ride scholarship, Elijah plans to attend Xavier University, major in graphic design, and one day publish his first comic book.
His message to others facing hard times: “You are the bulldozer that can break your limits. Keep pushing forward. You are your own story—be the pen that writes it.”
Elijah Hogan’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of homelessness and hardship, determination and support can lead to incredible success. Despite losing his home and his mother, Elijah stayed focused on his education and became valedictorian with a 3.93 GPA. With the help of the Covenant House and caring mentors, he is now on his way to Xavier University on a full scholarship. His journey shows that no matter your background or struggles, it’s possible to overcome challenges and achieve your dreams through perseverance, support, and self-belief.
