Alabama Teen Spotted Walking to Graduation Receives Brand New Car, Full Ride Scholarship, and Donations in the Thousands

—blogged by @lovelikejhoney

For the past school year, Corey Patrick has gotten up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a local bus to get to Tarrant High School, in Alabama, on time. Earlier this month, he began the journey from his Birmingham home per usual, but this time dressed for graduation with his cap and gown.

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“Even when he would get out of school he couldn’t get from that side of town until 5:19 when the bus runs back over there. So he doesn’t make it back this way until about 6:30 or 7 o’clock,” his mother, Felicia White, told the local news station.

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On his way to graduation, the bus driver took photos of Patrick running to the bus stop. The pictures spread virally with more than 40,000 shares on Facebook.

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The photos caught the attention of comedian Rickey Smiley, host of his self-titled, Georgia-based radio show. On Friday, Smiley gave the teen a brand new SUV at the 95.7 JAMZ studio.

“Little buddy wanted to do this, trying to get no hype on the internet or trying to get no hype on the radio,” Smiley said in a video of the sweet gesture. “He did it because he wanted his high school diploma.”

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Smiley said he’d supply aids to help Patrick get his driver’s license. “I had to do what was necessary for me to walk this year,” Patrick appeared emotional as he and his family accepted their new SUV.

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Additionally, social media started a GoFundMe page for the teen graduate which raised over $11,000.

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With blessings falling in his lap, Patrick also received a full scholarship to Jacksonville University, where he plans to study computer science.