Homeless student wins full-ride scholarship to college despite living in shelter and working two jobs six days a week while at school

A homeless student has beaten the odds to win a full scholarship despite living in a shelter and working two grueling jobs six days a week.

Makoa Perez, who just graduated from Kelso High School in Washington, managed to get excellent grades thanks to his strong work ethic and time management.

Despite not having a traditional home, Perez completed college with a 3.97 GPA and numerous college credits.

In his senior year of high school, the young man’s hard work was rewarded with a full scholarship to Washington State University.

He even volunteered his little free time to help with community service and was elected class president.

In his senior year of high school, the hard-working young man won a scholarship to Washington State University. The homeless student even volunteered his limited free time to help with community service and was elected class president

Throughout high school, Perez worked two jobs six days a week. His work schedule was extremely hectic, which meant he had to find time where he could study.

“It was work every day except Friday, and then it was all week through Saturday,” Perez said.

As a full-time student, the diligent student had to work shifts whenever possible. This often meant working early in the morning and late in the evening.

“I opened and closed both of my jobs,” he said KATU2.

Perez didn’t just go to work and do indifferent work. Just like at school, he excelled at his workplaces.

At one of his jobs, he became a supervisor and supervised the work of those younger than him.

‘Managing a whole shift with a whole crew, some older, some younger, with different schedules to work on and different breaks to accommodate, it was definitely difficult.’

Nancy Baldwin, McKinney Vento’s supervisor, attributed the district’s 100 percent graduation rate to the students’ optimistic outlook

Using his phone to keep a detailed schedule helped Perez keep track of his endless commitments and deadlines.

In addition to the normal concerns that many high school students struggle with, the class president also had to answer more direct questions, such as where was he going to sleep?

“Really, it wasn’t just about graduating from high school and figuring out what I want to do after my high school career, but it was also about housing and keeping myself stable.”

Perez was able to seek help from the McKinney Vento homeless shelter program, which was signed into law by Ronald Reagan in 1987. He was placed in a shelter, where he lived with several roommates.

The program helps provide homeless students with basic needs such as shelter and food.

In Washington, only 63.2 percent of McKinney Vento students graduated from high school — a grim testament to the challenges these young people face.

However, as Perez walked across the stage to receive his diploma, he was joined by fourteen other students in the program. The district had a 100 percent graduation rate.

Nancy Baldwin, the district’s McKinney Vento supervisor, attributed the success to the students’ optimistic outlook.

“We support our students every step of the way…Graduation is what we expect from them. It’s their right.’

Baldwin’s career revolves around helping these students. For her, finding housing for the young people is the most challenging part of the job.

‘I could work on that for five days, eight hours a day. Housing is difficult.’

Perez was one of 15 McKinney Vento students to graduate from his high school. The district had a 100 percent graduation rate

Baldwin also manages the Family Resource Center, which provides homeless students with hot meals and take-home food.

She acts as a surrogate mother for many young people who have no parents or guardians.

As the McKinney Vento students received their diplomas, Baldwin sat in the audience to cheer them on.

“When I graduated, I knew I was the only mother to 10 or 11 of my children,” she said.

“In my head I’m thinking, God, if a mother would please walk through the door.”

As if working two jobs wasn’t enough, Perez volunteered at the Family Resource Center, where he assisted Baldwin. He cherished his time there.

“When I walk in, this place lights up with warmth,” he said, before adding, “They show kindness to everyone who walks through those doors.”

Now that high school is complete, Perez is looking forward to a relatively more relaxing college experience.

‘I don’t have to work during my first year at university, which makes me incredibly happy.’