At the Head of Her Class and Homeless Even Melson isn't sure how she's managed to successfully juggle school (a 4.0 GPA), athletics (cross-country, track, volleyball), and homelessness. "I just know when I have a goal, I try not to let anything get in the way," she says. That goal, even before becoming homeless, has been to graduate from medical school and become a forensic pathologist. She says her father's murder when she was a baby inspired her to pursue the career. But it's never been easy. "Along the way, we stumbled and we started struggling as a family," she says. When those struggles began, she considered quitting sports and getting a job. But her coaches and teachers convinced her otherwise. "They were just like, 'Don't worry, you're doing the best you can—keep it up, just do what you have to do,'" she says. "They were always there for me. They took a lot of stress from my mind." But she says she still worries about what will happen to her family after she heads off to college in the fall, even if the campus is just a few miles away. She's hopeful her younger brother, who's 14 years old and a talented athlete, will continue to find a haven in sports. In the meantime, she has advice for other homeless kids: Don't let your situation define you. "I would just say keep your head up because you never know what's going to happen," she says. "You just have to have hope and faith and don't let it change who you are. Don't become ashamed and don't be embarrassed. And just k

Question

At the Head of Her Class and Homeless Even Melson isn't sure how she's managed to successfully juggle school (a 4.0 GPA), athletics (cross-country, track, volleyball), and homelessness. "I just know when I have a goal, I try not to let anything get in the way," she says. That goal, even before becoming homeless, has been to graduate from medical school and become a forensic pathologist. She says her father's murder when she was a baby inspired her to pursue the career. But it's never been easy. "Along the way, we stumbled and we started struggling as a family," she says. When those struggles began, she considered quitting sports and getting a job. But her coaches and teachers convinced her otherwise. "They were just like, 'Don't worry, you're doing the best you can—keep it up, just do what you have to do,'" she says. "They were always there for me. They took a lot of stress from my mind." But she says she still worries about what will happen to her family after she heads off to college in the fall, even if the campus is just a few miles away. She's hopeful her younger brother, who's 14 years old and a talented athlete, will continue to find a haven in sports. In the meantime, she has advice for other homeless kids: Don't let your situation define you. "I would just say keep your head up because you never know what's going to happen," she says. "You just have to have hope and faith and don't let it change who you are. Don't become ashamed and don't be embarrassed. And just k

Answer 1

eep pushing forward because there is always a way out."

Answer 2

eep pushing forward."

Answer 3

eep pushing forward because you have the ability to overcome your circumstances."

Even Melson's story is one of incredible resilience and determination. Despite facing the challenges of homelessness, she has managed to excel academically, participate in multiple sports, and maintain a clear goal of becoming a forensic pathologist. However, she couldn't have done it alone. The support she received from her coaches and teachers played a crucial role in her success.

For other homeless kids who may be facing similar difficulties, Even Melson offers some advice. First, she advises not to let your situation define you. Your circumstances may be difficult, but they do not determine your worth or your potential. It's important to remember that you have the ability to create a better future for yourself.

Second, she encourages keeping your head up and maintaining hope and faith. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged when facing homelessness, but having a positive mindset can make a significant difference. Believing in yourself and your abilities can give you the strength to persevere through adversity.

Lastly, Even Melson emphasizes the importance of not letting your situation change who you are. Homelessness can be stigmatized and may cause feelings of shame or embarrassment, but it's crucial to resist those negative emotions. Your circumstances do not define your character or your potential. Stay true to yourself and continue to pursue your goals and dreams.

In summary, Even Melson's advice for homeless kids is to stay strong, maintain hope and faith, and not let their situation define them. With perseverance and the right mindset, it's possible to overcome the challenges of homelessness and achieve success.