Homeless teen graduates top of his class at Murray High School
May 31, 2018, 5:10 PM | Updated: 9:13 pm
MURRAY, Utah – One senior at the top of his class at Murray High School has learned extra lessons in self-reliance. The 18-year-old lived on the streets for many months during the past year, but that did not stop him from earning his diploma.
“I love learning,” said Thomas Schwab.
Thomas Schwab, age 18, graduated top of his class at Murray High School after being homeless for much of his junior and senior years.
He talked to KSL as he was getting his yearbook signed by teachers and friends.
“I love education, and I love improving myself. I feel education is one of the best ways to become a better person,” said Schwab.
High school is a challenging time, academically and socially. Most students have some stability at home to guide the way. Schwab did not. Yet, he persevered to make the most of his time at Murray High School.
“School has always been very important to me,” he said.
A year ago, it wasn’t certain Schwab would graduate, let alone gather signatures in a yearbook.
“When it comes to opportunities,” he said, “I always take advantage of them.”
He has had a tough road outside of school, and always sought the toughest academic path inside the halls of the high school.
Schwab enrolled at the school three years ago. Due to tough circumstances, his family was evicted from their home.
“We weren’t able to find another house to live in,” he said.
Murray High School
His mother moved away for a job, and his siblings went to live with his father.
“I floated around from people’s houses, or I stayed outside,” Schwab said.
Homeless for much of his junior and senior years, he said it was hard to focus on school.
“If I’m worried about whether I’m going to sleep tonight in a bush, or if I’m going to be able to get a ride over to school, or walks six miles, it’s very hard to focus on what you need to,” he said. “Will I be able to stay warm tonight? Or, will it rain? How will I stay dry? What if somebody comes and tries to stake my stuff?”
Late last fall, in crisis housing, he found stabilizing help from the Salt Lake County Milestone Transitional Living Program. The program aims to end the cycle of homelessness and dependency by helping young adults, ages 18-21, become self-sufficient through access to safe housing, stable employment and connections to ongoing support and resources.
“Whenever I see a challenge or a task, I’m not going to just give up on it,” said Schwab. “I’m a very determined and reliable person.”
The program helped with shelter, a bike and a laptop.
“Once I had this help, it made it a lot easier,” he said.
Thomas will graduate with a 4.0 average.
“Never had below an A,” he said.
Thomas Schwab, age 18, graduated top of his class at Murray High School after being homeless for much of his junior and senior years.
He was voted “Most Intellectual” by his classmates, and respected by his teachers.
“You are awesome, Thomas. I’ve loved having you in class,” said video production and ceramics teacher Ryan Moffett.
Schwab had stopped in to get a quote from the teacher in his yearbook. He was inspired by film-making teacher who appreciates the challenges his student faced outside of class.
“He’s overcome all odds, I’d say,” said Moffett. “He has risen above everything.”
Schwab served on a homeless youth forum for Salt Lake County, and has already done a lot of life planning.
“I believe my future is pretty secure at the moment,” he said.
But, it won’t be easy.
“I’m going to join the Navy, and I will be going through the nuclear engineering program, which is the hardest program in the Navy,” Schwab said.
Ultimately, Schwab said he aspired to be a naval officer, or get a degree in nuclear engineering from a top school.
He leaves for boot camp June 18.
“I’ve got the dedication and the wherewithal to do so. So I’m pretty set in stone about it,” he said.
