McKinney Teen Turns Disadvantage Into Scholarship

Immersed in his AP Spanish class, Johnathan Phillips can't wait to explore life outside school walls.

It may explain why he uses a suitcase to hold his books.

"I like to tell people that I'm going somewhere in life and I need a suitcase because I need to be prepared," said Johnathan.

The McKinney North senior learned last week he was awarded a full college scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. It's a free Ivy League education to a place he's only seen in brochures.

"It's huge," said his mother, Deanna Phillips. "I mean really huge for my family."

During the day, Johnathan focused hard on his studies even though there were many nights he and his mother had no place to call home.

"At times we've been homeless or had to live with friends," said Johnathan. "I've had some struggles in life, but everybody does. You get past it by never having pity on yourself."

Johnathan reluctantly wrote about moving from one unfamiliar place to another in his college admission's essay.

"It's not about advantage or disadvantage," said Johnathan. "It's about you and how dedicated you are in doing what you want to do."

It's an attitude he inherited from his mother.

"Disadvantaged often means advantaged because you get to see the realities in life that make you hunger to do more in this world," said Deanna.

Though they were often without financial security, the mother and son never went without love or support. When Johnathan starts college in the fall, the pair will be apart for the first time.

"He's going to be great and he's going to make new friends," said Deanna. "He's going to change this world."

Johnathan hopes to pursue chemistry and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He and his mother hope to come up with enough money to visit the campus for the first time this spring.