Michael Jeffery: Becoming Valedictorian While Living Under DC Bridge

Michael Jeffery faced adversities like the loss of two jobs and his home. Found himself living in a tent in Navy Yard while graduating top of his class and heading to college.

According to NBC Michael Jeffery lost two jobs during the pandemic, one at The Waffle House and the other at a retail store, while losing his home too. He ended up living in the Navy Yard area under a bridge.

He told NBC, “I didn’t want to be stuck out here.” “I don’t wish this on anybody, to be stuck out here,” Jeffery said.

“We don’t want pity,” he continued. “A lot of people in this situation is just like me. We want better; we want more.”


Jeffery took the opportunity to sign up for free adult high school classes with the Goodwill Excel Center last year.

Not allowing hardships to be misfortunes ,he continued to study and take classes while homeless. Taking this second chance with Goodwill, he’s just moved into an apartment and attending Catholic University in the fall.

“I’m studying legal studies,” he said. “Who would’ve thought that I would be studying legal studies, right? There was no hope in this tent, but I found it, so you see how far I’ve came and how far I will get.”

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