Homeless veteran graduates from college with honors

Author: cnn
Published:

INVERNESS, Fla.- A homeless Marine veteran has been working hard to better himself,
and now he has a big milestone to celebrate.

Despite the difficulties he’s faced, Robert Hren is graduating from technical college with honors.

Determination and the hunger for a better life are two things that fuel Hren these days and keep his nose in the books.

He is not your average student.

“I have struggled for so long. I’m tired of struggling.”

Hren is about to graduate from Withlacoochee Technical College with a certificate in industrial machinery maintenance and repair. He has been living in a homeless shelter for a while.

“I’m not looking for a handout. I want to be able to earn what I got but I also want to better myself.”

He doesn’t have a car so five days a week, for one year, he has been walking to school, rain or shine, and his attendance is perfect.

He has a 4.0 GPA and he’s set to graduate in June with honors.

Larry Hensley is Hren’s instructor.

“He has achieved from me the highest grade that I have ever issued in this class which in not an easy feat,” said Hensley.

Hren admits some poor choices landed him in this tough spot. He got some grant money to pay for school and he’s taking full advantage of this opportunity.

“I didn’t know if I could make it, if I could do it. So, you have to put your fear behind you. You have got to want it,” said Hren.

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