Determined Student Gets His Diploma

 

by Pa Rock

Missouri Citizen Journalist

I came across an inspirational story on the internet this morning, and because it was rooted in my home state of Missouri, the tale struck a particularly deep chord with me.

Xavier Jones, a fourteen-year-old who was attending eighth grade in a St. Louis area public school this spring, desperately wanted to attend his eighth grade graduation which was being held at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, an historically Black school that was located six miles from his home.  Sadly for the lad, his grandfather's car was not working and he had no way to get there.

So Xavier began walking, a long trek on a hot day that took two hours and crossed some rough neighborhoods.

Somehow word spread through the graduation crowd about the effort that young Xavier had put forth in order to pick up his diploma with the rest of his class.   One of the people in the audience who heard about the lad's long march of determination was LaTonia Collins Smith, the President of Harris-Stowe State University.  After meeting with young Mr. Jones, the college president was so impressed that she offered him a full-ride scholarship to her school.  Her affirmative action insures that Xavier Jones, should he choose to do so, will be able to attend Harris-Stowe for four years, tuition-free.

Local businesses also showed their support for the young man who had been so determined to show up and get his diploma.   Xavier was presented with a bicycle, and his family was given a car to help with their transportation needs.

Harris-Stowe is a small public university which had an enrollment of 1,200 students in 2020-2021.  Notable graduates include my favorite Missouri member of Congress, Cori Bush, and the late Dr. Arlene Ackerman, a highly respected educator who served as superintendent of schools in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Congratulations on your graduation from 8th grade, Xavier.   You have done yourself and our state proud!