Radio Host Gives SUV To Student Who Took The Bus To Graduation

TARRANT, AL - Tarrant High School student Corey Patrick was determined to graduate from high school. So determined was he to graduate from Tarrant that he woke up at 4 a.m. each day to take a 14-mile bus ride to school, and then would not get home until 7 p.m. some nights.

Patrick had moved with his mother to West End, but wanted to graduate with his friends at Tarrant. This meant finding a way to get to school. The MAX bus driver who drove Patrick each day snapped a photo of him in his cap and gown as he exited the bus and walked to graduation. The photo went viral, and Patrick received an outpouring of support from people who had never met him, including $11,000 from a GoFundMe page.

After the photo received tens of thousands of shares, 95.7 JAMZ morning show host Rickey Smiley reached out to Patrick. On Smiley's Georgia-based show last week, Patrick shared that he has been offered a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University. Smiley then surprised Patrick by promising to buy him a car, saying he would work with colleagues Tyrese, Da Brat and 95.7 JAMZ to get him the vehicle. In less than 24 hours, Patrick received a brand new car from University Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Anniston, AL. Smiley and friends covered the insurance for Patrick as well.

Patrick does not have a driver's license, but Smiley said he would help Patrick obtain that as well. The interview with Patrick can be heard on Smiley's website.

Photo courtesy of the Rickey Smiley Show