This teen went viral on the way to his graduation. He's a lesson in perseverance.
When Corey Patrick boarded the bus in his graduation gown, he didn't expect to go viral. He just wanted to graduate with his friends.
Patrick had attended school in Tarrant, Alabama, since the fourth grade. So when his family moved far away from his high school he decided that he was going to do whatever it took to stay with his classmates. For him, that meant getting up at 4:30 a.m. every morning so he could catch the bus at 5:41 a.m. It was a trip he took every morning this school year.
He found himself on that same bus the morning of his graduation.
According to WBRC, Patrick's family didn't have the transportation to get him to his ceremony. He didn't even know if they'd be able to make it to watch him cross the stage. But the same perseverance that helped him earn his diploma — “I had to do what was necessary for me to walk this year,” Patrick said — pushed him to take the bus one more time. And so he put on his gown and walked to the bus stop, same as always.
Patrick's journey caught the attention of his bus driver, who took a pair of pictures as he headed to his graduation ceremony.
The bus driver posted the photos to Facebook, citing Patrick's determination as an inspiration. She didn't know who he was, she just knew the young man in the graduation gown was doing his best to create a bright future for himself.
You tell me this ain't Determination he got on my bus to go to his Graduation no one was with him I pick him in Elyton...
Posted by Dee Bee on Monday, May 21, 2018
“I did it to inspire people on my page,” the driver said of the photos. “I didn’t do it because I knew him. I just did it because he got on my bus and I was inspired that he got on by himself and he was so determined to get it with no one backing him.”
Patrick wasn't looking for any praise, but his story touched the hearts of thousands.
Shortly after the post published, it began to soar. And as it amassed thousands of likes, people had the same question: Who was the young man and what could they do to help?
Soon, Patrick was identified by members of the community — including one of his former teachers — and the attention he's received has been overwhelmingly positive. For a young man who was described by his mother as "quiet, reserved, and humble," it's probably been just plain overwhelming as well. Patrick's family was gifted a new car by radio personality Rickey Smiley, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $25,000 for the new grad. According to the New York Daily News, Patrick's also reportedly received a full scholarship to Jacksonville University.
We did it!! We gave Corey Patrick a car of his own!!!! https://t.co/KFwwmUn7Gm— Rickey Smiley (@Rickey Smiley) 1527257231
Patrick's hard work is a clear reminder of how important it is to keep going.
There's no denying it must have been hard for Patrick to get out of bed so early every day to get to school. And he had to wait for hours after school to take the bus home, often not getting back home until 7:00 p.m. — just to get up and do it all over again the next day. But he never stopped.
No matter what Patrick does next, it looks like he won't let setbacks get him down. And that's not just a lesson for graduation season.That's something we can all strive for every day.
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.