20yr old student who was homeless after his mother died graduates top of his class & wins full college scholarship

A 20 year old Texas High school student at Margaret Long Wisdom High School, Liyjon DeSilva, who was just 5 years old when his mum passed away and slept in the park for three years has graduated top of his class and has been granted a full college scholarship.

Even while he was spending his nights sleeping in parking lots or on park benches in southwest Houston, Texas, he said he never considered missing school.

It took about three years for the school management to notice that one of their top students was sleeping on the streets, and with his own money, the school  principal, Jonathan N. Trinh paid for DeSilva to stay in a hotel while counselor Jessica Smith who was working for 'Communities in Schools' found someone willing to let DeSilva stay at their home rent free which now allowed DeSilva to concentrate on his studies and in May, he graduated in the top five percent of his class.

A happy DeSilva was pictured sharing a hug with his delighted principal Jonathan N. Trinh at his graduation ceremony.

    'I had no family, I was homeless, I went through child abuse, I went through family using drugs,' said the student, adding that his family had even tried to send him to Africa because 'my father didn't want me. I went through some of the worst places to live.

    'Where am I now, I am alive and well and blessed. I feel on top of the world.You give somebody that one shot, they can hit the bulls eye. Just that one shot can make the difference.'

    It seems his entire school is behind him. I think he knows we're all behind him and pushing for him to succeed,' said teacher Marla Morrow.

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