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Video Of Rickey Smiley Gifting Teen Who Took Bus To Graduation With A Jeep Will Leave You In Tears

Corey Patrick also received a full scholarship to Jacksonville University.

UPDATE:

Graduating senior Corey Patrick went from unknown teen to viral sensation after a MAX bus driver DeJuanna Beasely posted photos of the Tarrant High School student on his way to the bus stop in his graduation gown. 

Now, Corey's life is being changed in major way, thanks to Rickey Smiley. 

After Corey's story went viral, Smiley announced on his radio show that he and other celebrities would pitch in to surprise the teen with a new car. On Friday morning, Smiley made good on his promise and presented Corey with a new Jeep at the 95.7 Jamz studio.

Local news station WIAT was prepared with cameras rolling for the big surprise. 

In addition to receiving the new car, Corey has also received a full scholarship to Jacksonville University, reported WIAT. 

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A viral photo of a high school senior taking the city bus to his graduation has resulted in multiple celebrities banding together to buy him a car.

Earlier this week, a bus driver in Tarrant, Alabama, took a photo of a teen walking to the bus stop in his cap and gown. Seeing the graduating senior go through great lengths to make it to his ceremony touched the driver, so she posted the photo to Facebook.

The photo immediately went viral and the young man was identified as Corey Patrick, a 2018 graduate of Tarrant High School, reported WBRC.

In a conversation with the local news station, Corey said he wore his gown because he was proud to be graduating.

“I was happy on that day,” said Corey.

He also explained that although his family didn't have transportation to get him to the ceremony, he was not going to let that stop him. For Corey, the walk to the bus stop was a routine he endured every day.

“I had to do what was necessary for me to walk this year,” he told WBRC.

When Corey recently moved to the West End after attending Tarrant City Schools for nearly his entire education, he wanted to do everything possible to graduate with his friends.

"Corey was getting up at 4:30 in the morning and had to be at the bus stop at 5:41 in the morning for the last year. Even when he would get out of school he couldn't get from that side of town until 5:19 when the bus runs back over there. So he doesn't make it back this way until about 6:30 or 7 o'clock,” Felicia White, Corey’s mother, told WBRC.

His perseverance not only touched hearts, but impacted a couple of wallets.

During an appearance on The Rickey Smiley morning show, Tyrese and Da Brat announced that they will be getting Corey a car.

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