Against All Odds: Elijah Hogan’s Journey from Homelessness to Valedictorian

This story should be in the middle of a bidding war for movie rights. Just read what this young man has accomplished.

Elijah Hogan, a 19-year-old from New Orleans, has proven that hard work and determination can overcome any obstacle. As one of the valedictorians of Walter L. Cohen High School's class of 2024, he graduated with a 3.93 GPA and a college scholarship, all while living in a homeless shelter.

“It’s been tough and rough, had a few trips and falls down, [but] I’m alright,” Hogan told “Good Morning America.”

Hogan faced significant challenges, including losing his mother before his 12th birthday and becoming homeless when his grandmother’s rental home was sold. To avoid burdening his grandmother, he moved to Covenant House, a shelter for youth aged 16 to 22, where he lived rent-free while finishing high school.

In his graduation speech, Hogan thanked the Cohen community and his case manager, Jarkayla Cobb, who noted his transformation from a shy teen to a confident young man.

This fall, Hogan will study graphic design at Xavier University in New Orleans, with a tuition scholarship. He hopes his story inspires others to believe that anything is possible.