Dellarontay Readus took school seriously and it showed when the teen earned a 4.0 GPA while at Melrose High School in Memphis, Tenn., and became the class valedictorian. His studious efforts paid off when he learned he was accepted to all eight Ivy League schools.
However, just one month before leaving for Stanford University on a full ride, Readus’ mother passed away after years of battling stomach and heart issues, according to wreg.com.
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“It’s just that it hurts so much, I can’t do anything else but cry,” Readus said. “It feels terrible, man, because my mama was honestly my reason for everything I’ve ever done.”
To help offset the funeral costs, Readus’ older brother Eugene Hampton set up a Go Fund Me page asking for $2,000 to help bury their mother. What happened next proved there’s still some good left in the world.
The funeral cost $5,000, but Readus said he was willing to use some of the money saved for college to pay for the remainder. As of Monday (August 17) the site raised more than $39,000 and the family has vowed to use the extra money for a headstone.
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“I hope she’s looking down on me, and she’s able to see everything I’m doing. I hope she’s able to see all the good work I’m going to put in this world.”
Good job, humans. Good job.