Growing up, Dawn Loggins did not have an easy life. Her parents were both drug addicts, and the family lived in a home that had no electricity or running water. As an 18 year old, Dawn was forced to do her homework by candlelight. Her parents would soon abandon her, going to visit Tennessee and deciding to stay. They cut off their phones, giving no way for the young 18-year-old to reach them.

She would stay over at various friends houses, sleeping on couches and floor while she underwent her senior year at Burns High School. Surprisingly, Dawn was a Grade A student, and she was determined to not end up like her parents. She says that when she was younger, she already decided she was not going to end up like her parents, living paycheck to paycheck, and she was going to be responsible for taking care of herself.

Dawn was able to survive by working as a custodian at her school. Before and after classes she would sweep floors, empty garbage, and clean urinals. After her last daily shift, she would do her homework.

Loggins had planned to go to college, and she applied to four different universities. It was not until her counselors urged her that she decided to also apply to Harvard. She thought like most people the Ivy League school was a long shot. She got acceptance letters from all four universities, but it wasn’t until a few weeks later that she received a letter from Harvard, informing her that she will be admitted to the Harvard College class of 2016.

Loggins was rewarded with a week off after her graduation, but she plans to keep her custodial job until she’s ready to leave for Harvard.

A truly inspirational story.

via CNN