CHICAGO, June 5, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – A Chicago teen who became a mother at age 14 says she put her trust in God, worked hard, and defied the odds to become the valedictorian of her graduating high school class this year.
Trameka Pope was homeless and in eighth grade, when she became pregnant.
While Chicago has roughly 50,00 new teen mothers annually, and 25 percent of Chicago public school students drop out each year, Pope was determined to not allow future to become a casualty – and not to abort her baby.
She said that she knew God doesn't “make mistakes, and He wouldn't give anyone a child who wasn't ready for one.”
She gave birth to her baby daughter the summer before starting high school.
In addition to her high school classes, Pope took college prep courses, was a cheerleader, and held down a job at a local grocery store. She was also a member of other extracurricular groups, including the National Honor Society.
“I didn't give up. I pushed myself hard,” Pope said. “And my baby motivated me every day, because I wanted to provide for her and I also didn't want to be a statistic.”
She had the help of Chicago Public Schools' staff, who took her on college tours and assisted her in applying for scholarships, as well as support from the non-profit, SGA Youth and Family Services, which works with teens in becoming parents.
“Everyone loves her. She's a people person. She has a sweet heart and kind spirit,” said Dawn Jackson, Pope’s social worker.
Jackson also said Pope is a remarkable model for perseverance and achievement.
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“No matter what background you come from, it doesn't matter if you have a child as a teen, no matter what people say about you, you still can, you can make it,” she said, “and you can become something.”
Pope, who is set to graduate from Wendell Phillips High School early this month, has been awarded more than $80,000 in scholarship money and accepted at 26 colleges and universities, a myFOXChicago.com report said.
Pope plans to attend Western Illinois University this fall and pursue a Ph.D. in social work.
“I always said that I wanted to make change and I wanted to be in the history books,” she said, “and I started with myself.”