Teenager Tyki Nelworth is proving success is possible in spite of a difficult life.

His father left when he was in 7th grade and his mother is in prison. Yet the high school senior is now set to study at West Point Military Academy.

"He could have chosen to be a drug dealer. He could've chosen to be in a gang, but he chose to succeed," said Laquita Cole, an alumni associate at Nelworth's high school.

Nelworth was evicted at one point. Now, he has a 4.2 gpa and will start classes in the fall at the prestigious military school.

"I don't use those as excuses to not do well. I tend to use these as reasons to do better and get my life together," Nelworth said.

"He's got a leadership quality and people gravitate towards him," teacher Raig Sipes added. "He is charismatic and people are inspired by him."

Alumni from Nelworth's high school are helping him achieve his dreams. They raised $2,000 for his deposit at West Point and bought his plane ticket to the school.