Griffin Furlong, a 2014 graduate of an American school, was named valedictorian (the student with the highest grades giving the farewell speech). However, he had a harder time achieving his goal than other students.
In his speech, Griffin revealed that he was homeless. He and his father became homeless 12 years ago. Griffin’s father had financial difficulties after his mother died of cancer. They could not pay the costs of maintaining the house and they lost it. The boy and his father and brother lived in shelters and other temporary accommodation. Griffin recalled as a seven-year-old child walking eight kilometres with his father and older brother Shaun to find overnight accommodation in a homeless shelter in Louisville.
“I can’t even count how many sleepless nights I spent on a cold plastic mattress. I cried and hoped that my life would change and that I would not have to endure the hardships of the world I thought at the time,» said Griffin in his speech.
“I just want to show that everyone can achieve a goal, regardless of the difficulties. I don’t want to live this life anymore. I am doing everything to change things,” he added.
Griffin managed to hide his plight and none of his teachers were aware of his difficulties except a few close friends.
“Never give up and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I’ve been told that all my life. People told me I wasn’t smart enough and now I’m the best student in the class,” Griffin said.
Griffin said that, like his older brother, he wanted to become an engineer and attend university in Florida.
