A Viral Graduation Moment: Alabama Teen Walks to Bus Stop in Cap and Gown After a Year of 4 A.M. Commutes

On Monday, an Alabama MAX bus driver posted a now-viral photo on Facebook showing a young man dressed in his cap and gown, walking alone to the bus stop to get to his high school graduation ceremony. That young man was 19-year-old Corey Patrick — and the story behind the photo is even more inspiring than the image itself (NBC News).

It turns out that Patrick had been making this exact commute every single day for the past year. After spending most of his school life in Tarrant City Schools, he moved to Birmingham’s West End neighborhood to live with his mother, Felicia White. The family didn’t have a car, but Patrick was determined to finish his senior year at Tarrant High School with the classmates he had grown up with. His solution was simple, but far from easy: waking up at 4 a.m. to catch multiple public buses to school (WBRC News).

According to his mother, “Corey was getting up at 4:30 in the morning and had to be at the bus stop at 5:41 a.m. for the last year. Even after school, he couldn’t catch a bus back to this side of town until after 5 p.m., so he usually didn’t get home until 6:30 or 7 o’clock.” She added that despite the long days and exhausting schedule, her son never once complained.

On his graduation day, Patrick’s routine didn’t change. “I had to do what was necessary for me to walk this year,” he told reporters. “When I woke up that day, I was just happy that today was the day I’d finally walk across the stage and get my diploma” (WBRC News).

His mother was able to find a ride in time to watch him graduate — a moment she said she wouldn’t have missed for anything. The viral photo quickly captured national attention, with many praising Patrick’s perseverance, discipline, and refusal to give up. The story spread across major news outlets, who highlighted him as a symbol of resilience among American students facing transportation barriers (CNN).

The photo also caught the eye of comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley, who announced that he would help Patrick get a car to support him as he prepares for college. Smiley said he wanted to reward the teen’s commitment and ensure transportation would never again stand between him and his goals (Associated Press).

Patrick expressed his gratitude, saying, “I thank you all for the support, and just know that I appreciate you all. It truly does take a village.”

Indeed it does. Congratulations to Corey Patrick on his graduation — his relentless determination is a reminder of what dedication, grit, and belief in one’s future can accomplish.