Martin Folsom is a remarkable young man who has overcome many challenges in his life. He was born in Texas, but had to move across five states with his mother, Melva, who was fleeing from her abusive ex-husband. They ended up in Jacksonville, Florida, where they faced homelessness twice during Martin’s high school years. Despite these hardships, Martin never gave up on his education and his dreams. He graduated as the valedictorian of his class at A. Philip Randolph Career Academy, a magnet school that focuses on engineering and health sciences.
Martin’s story is one of resilience, determination and excellence. He maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his four years of high school, while also serving as the class president and participating in various extracurricular activities. He credits his mother for being his source of inspiration and support. “She has been the person that whenever I did end up getting upset or whenever I needed somebody to laugh with or talk to she was always there, she was always encouraging me,” he said.
Martin also received support from his teachers, mentors and friends at school, who recognized his potential and helped him overcome the barriers he faced. “He has a drive that you don’t see in a lot of students,” said his principal, Timothy Simmons. “He wants to be successful, he wants to make an impact on this world.”
Martin’s achievements are even more impressive when considering the statistics on homeless youth in the United States. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, there were more than 1.5 million homeless students enrolled in public schools in the 2017-2018 academic year, an increase of 15% from the previous year. Homeless students face many challenges that affect their academic performance, such as lack of stability, safety, nutrition, health care and transportation. They are also more likely to experience trauma, abuse, violence and mental health issues.
Martin is determined to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness that he and his mother have endured. He has been accepted to Valdosta State University in Georgia, where he plans to major in criminal justice and pursue a career in the FBI. He has received several scholarships and grants to fund his college education, including the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and the Horatio Alger Scholarship.
Martin’s story is an inspiration for anyone who faces adversity in life. He proves that with hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude, anything is possible. He also hopes to inspire other homeless students to follow their dreams and achieve their goals. “Tell them to dream big,” he said. “Think about something that you really want, and think about how good you’re gonna feel once you accomplish that.”
Tupac Mosley is not your average teenager. He is a 17-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee, who has overcome incredible odds to achieve his academic dreams. He graduated as the valedictorian of his high school with a 4.3 GPA, received a 31 ACT score, and earned more than $3 million in college scholarships. He did all this while being homeless for most of his senior year.
Mosley’s life changed drastically when his father died in April 2017. His family fell behind on bills and their home was foreclosed on in February 2019, leaving them without a place to live. They moved from one place to another, sometimes staying at a camping site or a nonprofit organization that offered them shelter.
Despite the challenges of being homeless, Mosley never gave up on his education. He said he was motivated by his family, his teachers, and his faith. He also credited a local organization, For The Kingdom, for providing him with a cabin to live in with his family and helping him focus on his studies. Read more about Tupac here.