While most high school seniors’ biggest problems consist of what to wear to prom and getting the next gadget, Chelesa Fearce was concerned about where she and her family were going to sleep every night.
Chelesa spent a large portion of her high school career being in and out of shelters and living in her mother’s car. “I just told myself to keep working, because the future will not be like this anymore,” she said. “You’re worried about your home life and then worried at school. Worry about being a little hungry sometimes, go hungry sometimes. You just have to deal with is. You eat what you can, when you can, she added.
Now a graduating senior from Charles Drew High School in Clayton County, Georgia, Chelesa is graduating as valedictorian of her class. Even more extraordinary is that she scored a 1900 on her SAT, attained a 4.466 GPA and will be entering Spelman in the fall as a college junior.
Chelesa isn’t the only phenomal brain in her family. Her sister is graduating from George Washington Carver High School as salutatorian.
Congratulations, Chelesa. Thank you for being a true example of rising above your circumstances to achieve greatness!
