Boys Home of Virginia Graduates
How Three Young Men Paved Brighter Paths
Graduation day at Boys Home brought together families, staff, and friends to celebrate three remarkable young men: Sean, Ephy, and Carveon. Each has traveled their own path during their time here, and now they’re ready to take their next steps into the world.
Getting Ready for the Big Day
Leading up to the big day, graduates participated in the Senior Challenge, and we took professional photos of them beaming with pride in their caps and gowns. The weekend before graduation, our three seniors shared one last adventure together during their trip to South Carolina. This wasn’t about partying or “letting loose” like some senior trips. Instead, it gave them time to reflect on their journey and bond as a class one final time.
Asianna from our staff captured it perfectly: “It’s one of their last bonding moments together, and I just think that’s really sweet.”
After returning from their trip, the seniors completed other graduation traditions:
- Senior Challenge (the details stay secret from younger students!)
- Professional photos to mark this milestone
- Alumni Dinner preparations, where they’d receive their class rings and other symbols of their Boys Home connection
What Our Graduates Shared
In the Senior Stories video, each young man reflected on his time at Boys Home and what he’d learned. Sean and Ephy talked about how the structured environment helped them grow and gain confidence for whatever comes next.
But the most powerful moment came during graduation itself, when Carveon delivered a speech that showed just how far he’d come.
Carveon's Journey: The Full Story
Carveon didn’t hold back during his graduation speech. He started with the hard truth: “My name is Carveon Lee, and I stand before you today not just as a graduate, but as someone who has walked a long, winding road to get here.”
His Early Years Were Tough
- Born in Richmond in 2007
- Moved around a lot, lived in shelters, even in a car
- Had to “be aware, adapt, and survive” from a young age
- Started getting into trouble in elementary school
- Got into fights in middle school
But There Were Bright Spots Too
- Dancing at church with his siblings
- Playing Kung Fu Panda at 7 AM with his brother DeLeon
- Football, which “kept me out of trouble”
When Carveon first came to Boys Home in April 2021, things looked promising. He found community and structure. He became soccer team manager, joined the basketball team, helped in chapel, and grew in his faith.
Then came the setback. “I also made mistakes. I lost sight of the rules and got discharged (expelled). That could have been the end of my story.”
But it wasn’t.
A conversation with someone he loved changed everything. She asked him: “What are you going to do with your life?” He didn’t have an answer.
“That hit me. I realized I had no plan, no purpose. So I asked if I could come back to Boys Home—to finish what I started.”
What He Learned the Second Time Around
Coming back to Boys Home gave Carveon a chance to really grow. Here’s what he learned:
- How to manage his time
- How to forgive
- How to move past trauma without letting it define him
- Holding grudges only weighs you down
- That without a plan, life will choose one for you— and it might not be good
His advice to current Boys Home students was simple but powerful:
- Finish school
- Know your worth
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Always try to be the best version of yourself
Faith as His Foundation
Carveon grounded his story in Romans 5:3–5: “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
“That verse is my story,” he said. “And now, I’m full of hope.”
This connects to what Boys Home teaches about spiritual life. The chapel door has a sign that says “Exit to Serve,” reminding students that faith should lead to helping others.
Three Different Futures
Our graduates are headed in different directions, which shows how Boys Home supports various paths after graduation:
Carveon Lee will join the United States Navy after a journey that took him from early struggles to finding his purpose at Boys Home. “I plan to keep growing in faith and to find success in whatever path I take.”
Sean Onyekwere came to Boys Home at age 14 after his family moved frequently before settling in Baltimore. Sean found his passion for soccer and basketball while developing his artistic talents, and deepened his appreciation for information technology. After graduation, Sean will work as a camp counselor before enrolling in an online college to pursue a career as a therapist— he also hopes to study abroad someday.
Epherem “Ephy” Morris arrived at Boys Home at just 11 years old, having been born in Ethiopia and raised in Ohio. His journey has been one of remarkable resilience and leadership. Over his time here, Ephy served four years in Key Club and currently serves as president. He also made his mark on the basketball team as shooting guard, becoming one of only four Boys Home alumni to earn 1,000 points in basketball. After graduation, Ephy will work while attending Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he’ll major in Economics. He recently got his learner’s permit and is determined to perfect his backup parking skills!
Each young man’s path reflects the diverse futures Boys Home prepares students for – whether college, military service, or entering the workforce directly.
Why This Matters
Carveon ended his graduation speech by saying: “Thank you to everyone at Boys Home who never gave up on me. Thank you to my family. And thank you to God—for turning my pain into purpose.”
That’s what graduation day at Boys Home of Virginia is really all about. It’s not just finishing school, it’s about young men who’ve learned to turn their challenges into strengths.
As each young man graduated, we saw proof of what’s possible when young men get the support they need. Each of them faced obstacles. Each of them had moments of doubt. But they kept going.
Now they’re ready for whatever comes next. And we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
Alumni Israel Pattison wrote recently that “Home is not a place left behind. It is a gift carried onward.” That’s exactly what these three young men are doing— carrying forward everything they’ve learned here as they build their adult lives.
The Class of 2025 has once again demonstrated why Boys Home exists. With the right support, every young man can write his own success story. We can’t wait to see what Sean, Ephy, and Carveon accomplish in the years ahead.
Want to learn more about how Boys Home of Virginia accompanies young men on their journey through graduation? Connect with us today!