Skid Row may seem to be a world away from Harvard Yard, but Kenneth Chancey, a homeless high school junior in Los Angeles, is determined to make the long journey. An honor roll student, class president and star football player, Kenneth also lives with his sister and father in the Union Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter.   Kenneth plans to go from being homeless to become a Harvard graduate, and with a resolve that is an inspiration for us all, I believe he’s going to make it.  Harvard, or any top school, would be lucky to have such a dedicated and talented student, and for all the adversity that he has worked to overcome, Kenneth deserves to go wherever he wishes. 

While I am thrilled that Kenneth will likely to gain access to the opportunity that a school like Harvard provides, I know that there are so many students that are unable to reach for their dreams because poverty or homelessness have stood in there way.  Hopefully success stories such as Kenneth’s will help shed light on those kids who are less fortunate, and need all the help they can get to overcome these obstacles.

Photo: spi516’s flickr photostream (creative commons)