There‘s a saying that determination is the key to success, and this young man from Alabama proved it right. Corey Patrick spent a year waking up at 4:30 in the morning to make a 90-minute bus ride to Tarrant High in Birmingham, AL, which he attended from 4th grade so he could graduate.

Corey Patrick Wanted to Graduate With His Friends

In his senior year of high school, 19-year-old Corey and his family moved to the West End neighborhood, about 10 miles away. He decided it‘d be too painful to leave his beloved friends and teachers behind and collected all his strength to graduate with them in 2018. Since the family didn’t own a car, Corey had to catch a public bus every morning at 5:51. He would return home around 7:00 at night after waiting for the bus for a few hours.

His Determination Didn’t Go Unnoticed

Image credits: Dee Bee

On Corey Patrick’s graduation day, he followed his daily routine, only this time he was dressed in his graduation outfit. That’s when a bus driver, DeJuanna Beasely, noticed him walking alone and snapped a photo that quickly went viral. “You tell me this ain’t determination, he got on my bus to go to his graduation, no one was with him,” wrote the driver on Facebook. “It’s all in what you want out of life, he didn’t have on the best but he was the best in my eyes! I was so proud of this black young man.”

Corey Patrick Graduated From Tarrant High

Beasely explained that the reason she took the picture wasn’t that she knew Corey. She was so inspired that he got on her bus and did it all by himself with so much determination and no one backing him. Corey’s mother, Felicia White, said that the family later managed to make it to her son’s graduation in time.

Support began pouring in for him

After seeing this wholesome story unfold, many people offered their support when Corey was identified as the student in the photo. The biggest surprise for this young man was the gift he got from comedian Rickey Smiley, who was also impressed by the teen‘s perseverance. 

Comedian Rick Smiley gifted him a car

Image credits: Rickey Smiley

Smiley brought Corey onto his radio show, where he announced they would be gifting him a car with the help of fellow radio hosts from 95.7 Jamz.

Fun fact: This is what happened to the car just a few months later.

Corey still had to get his driver’s license

Image credits: Marlei Martinez

Corey graduated from high school in 2018 and was still working toward getting his driver’s license since the family had never owned a car. Corey told Rick Smiley that all his efforts were finally worth it.

The Internet Was Truly Impressed by This Heartwarming Story

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Check Out Rick Smiley’s Radio Conversation With Corey and His Surprise Gift

Did Corey Patrick Go to College?

On Simley’s radio show, Corey announced that he had received a full-ride scholarship to Jacksonville State University. He was intent on studying computer science and programming. He was simultaneously also working hard and got a job at McDonald’s and then at a warehouse.

Image credits: Corey Patrick.

What Is Corey Patrick Doing Now?

If you follow Corey Patrick now, you’ll know he uses his platform to raise awareness about various important issues. A recent update from Corey Patrick was when he created a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on his birthday. He also advocates for improved access to education for all students.

He Is a Beacon of Inspiration for All of Us

When you see where Corey Patrick from Birmingham is now, it feels like anything can be possible with effort and hard work. His heartwarming story shows us that you should follow your heart and do your best. It was also a remarkable case of the ‘Butterfly Effect’ where driver DeJuanna Beasely’s small action of snapping a photo transformed Corey’s life.

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