Florida Teenager Graduated As Class’ Valedictorian Despite Becoming Homeless Many Times

• Martin and his mom, Melva, fled from her ex-husband who was charged with murder and 40 years imprisonment.
• Since then, the two have been in and out of homelessness across five states before settling down in Jacksonville, Florida.
• Never once did Martin think about quitting his studies, instead he worked hard and graduated as valedictorian of his class.

---

A teenager from Florida graduated at the top of his class despite all the challenges he’s faced every time he becomes homeless.

According to local TV station, WJXT in Jacksonville, Martin Folsom and his mother Melva have been homeless multiple times since he was just a child.

Through the years, Martin did his best to focus his attention to his studies in spite of the difficult situation they were in—and finally, his hard work paid off when he graduated as the class’ valedictorian at Philip Randolph Career Academy.

“It kind of gave me a jolt in my chest a little bit, so it was a good feeling,” Martin said in an interview. “It means a lot and it gives me a sense of all I’ve done and all I have accomplished was worth it.”

The mother and son has been in and out of homelessness when they fled from Melva’s ex-husband who was charged with 40 years imprisonment because of murder, says WJXT.

In two years, the two of them lived from one shelter to another in five states before they settled down in Jacksonville.

“Martin and I were in downtown McDonald’s and literally had nowhere to go,” Melva recalled how difficult it was for them to find a place to live. “I was on the phone calling people, calling organizations, and by the grace of God, we got into a shelter that day.”

Despite all that, Michael told WJXT he didn’t let his studies get affected and never thought about quitting even once. 

“It’s always been, ‘Well, it happened again and I’ve gotta keep myself up and keep moving forward,’” he said.

His dedication and perseverance brought him the sweet success he worked hard dearly. Martin is looking forward to attending Valdosta State University in Georgia and hopes to join the FBI in the future.

Source: PEOPLE