Readers spring into action to help Atlanta teen from AJC article

It was a heady experience, even for a young man with an outsized personality and a smile that can light up a room. Coggins, 18, was featured in an AJC Personal Journeys story in June.

“The Matriculation of Walter Coggins Jr.” chronicled the deaths of Walter’s parents and his determination to graduate from Atlanta’s B.E.S.T. Academy. With his teachers, mentors and family cheering him on, Walter finished his senior year strong and earned a music scholarship to Young Harris, located in the mountains of North Georgia.

Dozens of readers were touched by Walter’s story. Linda Worley, of Marietta, sent him a card with an encouraging personal message and a check to assist him with school expenses. An Alabama college student wrote Walter to tell him she had lost her parents in a car accident and was considering dropping out of school. His story motivated her to keep going.

Marcy Steinberg was inspired by Walter’s story, but it also gave her pause, given his family history of heart disease. Walter’s mother, Maya Collins, died eight years ago from a heart attack, and his father, Walter Coggins Sr., died last August of lung disease and heart problems. Earlier this summer, Walter’s aunt had a heart attack while walking at Stone Mountain. She is recuperating.

“First of all, I never write regarding articles I have read so this is a first for me,” Steinberg wrote in an email. “What a fantastic and inspiring article. I wish him all of the great things that life has to offer because he has certainly had more than his share of losses at a young age.”

Her son’s biological father and grandfather died before the age of 45 from the disease.

“I do not have it which is good for my son, but I still made sure he started seeing a cardiologist at the age of 14,” she wrote. “I want the same for Walter.”

Steinberg arranged for Walter to see Dr. Fredd Miller, a Dunwoody physician. Walter was grateful for the physical exam and believes he is in good shape because he plays basketball daily.

He begins his first full semester at Young Harris next week. During a five-week summer session, he made a B in theater appreciation and an A in critical reading.

“My summer session was great,” he said. “It showed me a lot of different things. I’ve met so many different people. I’ve never gone to a school where there weren’t a lot of African-Americans. I really just had a great time.”

His biggest challenges? “Missing the time with my brother and sister and trying to balance studying with having your own life.”

He can’t wait to sing with his school choirs and looks forward to traveling and competing with other college choirs.

Walter’s siblings now live with their maternal grandmother Jessyca Collines Kates in McRae, in South Georgia.

Walter pushed through the pain of his father’s death with a steely determination he inherited from his father, who constantly stressed education and character. Walter and his brother Jaharra’s mentors, Hasan Durley and Danny Muller of MOXIE, an Atlanta technology and advertising firm, along with family members stepped in to help fill the void left by Walter Coggins Sr.’s passing.

For one reader, the story brought back personal memories of the Coggins family.

“I could only thank God that I’m privileged to know this young man,” wrote Monica Y. Peterson. “I am a former school bus driver, I used to take Walter home from the All Star program at B.E.S.T. Academy. When I met Walter, I would call him silly for the things that he would do. I must say that I had no idea that Walter’s mother was my elementary school classmate and a former neighbor. … This story has touched my heart and has me in tears.

“I am extremely proud of him and wish him and his siblings nothing but the BEST going forward. To lose one parent is hard enough but to lose two is definitely a struggle and I am proud to know that Walter is not allowing this setback in his life to hold him back.”