According to Action News Jacksonville, Martin Folsom, a graduating senior at A. Philip Randolph Career Academies, secured the title of class valedictorian despite having bouts of homelessness throughout his academic years.

But seeing myself now about to graduate, about to go to college—it feels good knowing all the stuff I’ve done was worth it,” Folsom says in a video highlighting Duval County Public Schools’ class of 2020.

Folsom told reporters that he’s the first person from his family to attend college.

Despite having spent time living in shelters, Folsom shares that he served as class president from his freshman through senior year, and was looked at by his peers as a resource for help and advice.

If it weren’t for the pandemic, Folsom would have walked across the stage and offered an encouraging word to his peers.