Jefferson High School student Khadijah Williams, 18, looks for friends to sign her yearbook. Williams has been homeless her whole life but through hard work and perseverance, she was accepted to Harvard University in the fall. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Khadijah Williams has her picture taken with friend Brigida Leon, right, after they signed each other’s yearbooks. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Khadijah Williams hugs teacher Susan Ferguson, right, a few days before graduating from Jefferson High. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
On a street near USC, Khadijah Williams waits for the first of two buses she rides on her way home. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Khadijah Williams sleeps on a bus to San Pedro after spending the day gathering signatures required for her graduation. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Khadijah Williams gathers belongings from her mother’s storage locker while her sister Jeanine Williams, 11, waits. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
During a stop at her mother’s storage locker, Khadijah Williams, right, watches her sister Jeanine throw her graduation cap into the air. (Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Khadijah looks out toward the crowd at East Los Angeles College stadium Friday night at her graduation. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Graduating fourth in her class, Khadijah Williams stands at the podium during her graduation ceremony on Friday night. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)
