Graduating senior triumphed over adversity as an orphan in Haiti to achieve his dream of becoming a teacher

As a first-generation, multilingual, graduating senior from Haiti, J.P. Gaspard's accomplishment of earning his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education is no small feat – and he has no plans to take a break from overcoming obstacles now.

Jean Junior P. (J.P.) Gaspard, is the third of eight children who were born and raised in Haiti. He was only seven years old when he started working, picking up numerous jobs to help support his mother and siblings after his father died. As a result, Gaspard didn't start school until he was 11 years old when his mother sent him to an orphanage so that he coul...