Mesquite teenager overcomes homelessness to graduate from high school

For one young man, high school graduation was about a new and bright beginning.

Eighteen-year-old Dazmon Scott is one of 600 Mesquite high school graduates. The difference is for the last three years Scott was homeless.

Nearly 650 students in Mesquite ISD are homeless. Social worker Tom Edward works with Scott and other homeless youth in Mesquite ISD. He sees students who move from motel to motel, or car to car.

Marcille Shaffer with the Mesquite Academy says school is often the only safe haven students have. She worked with another student who had to shower at the school.

As for Scott, he says he couldn't have made it without help from the school district and his friends. He recognizes education is the key to a better life.

Others see great potential in Soctt – he has already secured one college scholarship to play football at Prairie View A&M.

The district relies on support from churches and community groups to help its homeless students. More information on how to help is below.

MISD Homeless Program
Jennifer Hulme, Homeless Liaison
Mesquite ISD
405 E. Davis Street
Mesquite, TX 75149
972-882-7351