Story behind viral video of deli owner celebrating 12-year-old who made honor roll 

Kudos to the deli owner for encouraging his neighborhood kids to do their best! 👏

Wail Alselwi deserves a medal, himself! What a community treasure he is. This is a man who is changing the world.

When lil man said "I dont want merit roll, i want honor roll" I melted.

“It takes a village to raise a child” This is what community is supposed to be! I love seeing people’s success stories 👏🏼

Congratulations to the youngster, thank you to the father, and to the store owner for encouraging him to achieve whatever he wants.

So great to have people encouraging and supporting kids. Hats off to you Sir.

I absolutely love this! When a kid is excited to share their good news with you, you’ve really made an impact. It means not only are they proud of themselves, but they also know that this person will share in their accomplishments and excitements as well. I teach high school students and oftentimes they’ll try to play their accomplishments off like it’s not a big deal or they aren’t excited about it, but the minute you start hyping them up and MAKING it a big deal, they can’t hide their true pride 🥰 and there’s nothing wrong with incentives either! Some kids are naturally driven and others need that little push to actually reach for their goals. The end game is all that matters

Thank you mr. Store owner. Thank you for encouraging the young man to challenge himself. I love it!

You're not just a deli owner you're a wonderful teacher of discipline. The school should come over and give you a paycheck every week. thank you for helping these great kids accomplish higher standards.

Great job to baby boy pushing through and not wanting to stop at merit roll. And so glad his daddy is so excited for him. And he’s got a cheerleader in this shop owner. Good stuff all around! ❤

This is such a feel good story on so many levels. The sense of community and support is wonderful ❤❤

You can tell the boy is very bright! You are going to go far young man! Just keep love in your heart and remember the people, like this Deli owner, who helped you along the way!

He’s going to be my doctor or my lawyer some day.. says proud Dad! Kudos to that kind shop owner who celebrates those kids achievements! You rock, man! ❤❤❤❤

This is what community is all about! It's a beautiful thing. WTG kiddo and the seli owner.

I remember when that used to mean so much. I hope he never loses his excitement for that. This man is who we should all emulate. He wants the kids to work, but he encourages and rewards it.

Props to the young boy and kids working hard to achieve great grades and meet their challenges! Kudos to the store owner for your positive encouragement. It takes a village and you know these kids will grow up to encourage/mentor the next generation.

Congratulations young man!! Thank you to the deli owner for being such a bright light in your community!

THAT is what's NEEDED in our communities nationwide! If we want productive, positive young people in our neighborhoods; as many people as possible in our neighborhoods should be encouraging kids. Get to know the kids in your neighborhood & be kind to them. You'll find they'll want to be kind and contribute back to you and the neighborhood. There will always be knuckleheads, but sometimes the kindness even gets to them. Cheers for this store owner for encouraging the kids in his neighborhood.

Thank you to the deli owner!!! You are The change we need in our communities! Thank you for your kindness and compassion to give positive feedback! Blessed be!

Children can do so well with support and encouragement. That store owner is turning his own difficulties into triumphs for others. Blessings to him!

Congratulations to the kid for making the Honor Roll but also huge CONGRATULATIONS to YOU for making it to Good Morning America! 👏🏾👏🏻👏🏽👏👏🏼👏🏿Finally, your amazing and wonderful generosity being recognized for the world to see. What you do for these kids is amazing. 💥👏🏻👏🏻👏🏼👏👏👏🏽👏🏿👏🏾

The message here is definitely positive. It’s also a reminder that society must do better with encouraging and incentivizing good performance. Yes, many young people love snacks; but adults must ask themselves can we do better in helping our youth succeed. Kudos to both the young man and store owner for representing the good nature humanity possesses. From here, let’s plant seeds for the youth to see the fruits of determination in ways that extend beyond a few snacks they may, or may not, need.

I love this so much 😊 Everyone in this story, just keep doing what you're doing...the adults encouraging and the kids striving for excellence!! May God bless you all ❤

God bless and keep you young man, you are precious. Actually, you are an IBM...INTELLIGENT BLACK MAN. Don't ever stop soaring. Pray for God's direction and guidance, you will be a real G.O.A.T.

As my dad would have said..."That's one cool dude" Hats off to you sir and congratulations to all the young scholars 😊

Wow, every person in this video is AMAZING. Kudos to everyone, adult & child, for caring about what's important. Achieving your dreams, building community, supporting kids, working hard--these are the things that make life a precious gift.

This is the type of stuff that should be going viral. ❤

What a sweet boy. I’m so proud of him.

Oh my goodness, my whole heart! That baby said "I don't want Merit Roll, I want honor roll". Yeeeees, you did that young man 👏🏿. Having his father present and great male encouragement is everything!

I’m so proud of this young man 💙👏🏾,thank you for encouraging the kids 💪🏽

Love Wali. A beautiful father, community leader and man of honor. Love how proud this young man's father is of him too and how much he encourages his son and believes iin him.

Love this story!!

Okay... This is glorious!!! Shows you how much simple acts of kindness and encouragement can improve a kid's well being!!! This man is not just a cashier. He's a coach... A "life" coach!!! And congratulations to that young man and his father and family!!! Great job Bud!!! Keep it up!!!

Beautiful young man he was beaming with excitement 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 he was so proud of himself that's quite the accomplishment for a 7th grader❤❤❤❤❤❤

Someone needs to give this little sweetheart lots of hugs from the moms of the world who are so proud! Great job!❤❤❤❤

That deli owner is the best. Congratulations young

When you have a community that cares it makes all the difference! Kudos!!!!!

Mad respect for the kid for not giving up. Also, i love the store owner for encouraging this. Sometimes people don't have someone pushing them, this is bigger than the kid or shop owner knows.

LOVE THIS DELI OWNER! He will make the difference in this child's life.

His daughters are so lucky to have a father like him. He is so encouraging.

So so amazing of the deli owner.. God bless him!.. Sometimes, a stranger believing in us gives us more confidence than our family.. I mean, family members will mostly be supportive and encouraging even if we are bad.. but a third person saying that he believes in us, would give us confidence that maybe we really can.. 😊🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 God bless him!..

Wow on this deli owner! And what a friend this student and the others have made with this man. ❤

I just watched the other video but for reason this almost brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so Wali Alselwi!! Children need a village to believe in them.

God bless this man… what a kind soul.

More stories like this, please! Congrats to that young student *and* to his father and the deli owner. Positivity and encouragement make a world of difference. Here is the proof! ♥

Oh sweet baby. He's so confident. You're gonna go far, young man! I'm so proud of you. You have many internet aunties and uncles who are so proud of you

Well done Wail, what a great Ambassador for Education and love of children, need many many more of you Sir. Greetings from Europe. 🤗🤗💙💙🙏🙏

What a great story. Congratulations on your great accomplishment young man! Hats off to this man for encouraging our youth!! We need more people like you!

Love this!! I hope that Wail has even more business so that he can encourage more children! You sir are building up a generation of hard working humans!!

Wow - if only there were more people like this in the world. The deli owner and the boy are wonderful! Thanks for the positive news story!

These are the kind of stories we should be hearing about in the world🙏☺️

Blessings to this wonderful store owner! YOU are the change we need to see in the world! Just seeing this young man's face while he's telling you he made the honor role is a great treasure for me!

This is so sweet. The clerk was one of his biggest support.

So proud of you what an achievement 🎉❤

Sir, you are such a beautiful Blessing. Thank you for being the voice and encouragement these young people need. May you and your family continue to be blessed as well!! ❤

Precious young man. I’m proud of him!!!

Congrats on reaching your goal, Zameir!🎉 Keep growing and going! 🫶🏾

This is the best story I’ve heard in a long time! Thank you sir, keep up the amazing work.

Thanks for sharing and encouraging those kids!!!! Good for you young man!! You work hard, You deserve it!!!!!❤🎉

To the deli owner...you did an awesome thing by giving this smart young man "want" to be on the honor roll! You got this kiddo! Both of you gave me goosebumps on your story! God bless you all 🙏😇

This is what is needed in our world , Love compassion and care for others. There is just too much hate. Keep doing what your doing Sir. Blessings.

Doing what you can to lift these young people up is such an important thing for we men to do.

This is beautiful!!🙌🙌Congratulations!! young man on a job well done! & to you too for making a difference!!

Awesome Story... Blessings upon that store owner..Thank you for supporting our children. They’ll never forget it! ..

Thanks for sharing and encouraging those kids!!!! Good for you young man!! You work hard, Kids , You deserve it!!!!!❤🎉

So cool!! Such a nice person, please keep spreading smiles.

back in the sixties there was a corner store. On Cornelia street in nyc. I will always remember him as being there for ma a little French girl in a new land. Thank you for reminding me. Keep up the hope machine.

Mr. Deli Owner, thank you for encouraging a bright young mind to achieve more! I don't know where you're from, but you are definitely doing the work of a higher power! Bless You!

😢 These are happy tears. Thank you for encouraging the children.

I love this! We need more people in the world like you and I’m talking to myself as well!! Continue encouraging these young people! God bless you!! 🙏🏽🥰

That's the Muslim brother. I appreciate you motivating him to reach his goal.

This is so precious!

He locked IN! And hes absolutely correct. The kids need encouragement, and to know that their hard work pays off.

Kudos to the deli owner and young kid. ❤❤❤

I just absolutely love this story, this man is doing what most people in our communities don’t actually do. Most people talk a good talk, but they don’t take any action like this man has done … well done sir! Fabulous idea for other communities to start.

What a wonderful man to help the kids in his neighborhood like this. I love this man!

That's a great community!

Thank you Mr. Wally! This is so wonderful. Good job kids!

It’s amazing that this kid has found someone that he can trust and talk to about his accomplishments. He may not have anyone at home that cares. I relate to this kid! And the gentleman is a godsend for this child.

Such such a beautiful story. All the best to that boy and the deli owner😊

Thank you Mr. Wail and the children for caring for each other and boosting each other up. I wish there are healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables 🥕 🥒🍑🍉🍊🍌🍇🍓offered as treats so we can grow and maintain body and mind 😊

What a wonderful man!! We need more like him. ❤ This is beautiful.

Kudos to the owner! The fact that he even showed him his report card shows that he takes a positive interest in kids. We gotta remember that kids are people too - there’s always a human connection to be made ❤

❤ Father of the year 🏆fyi, Michelle Obama said the same thing: If not in your family or school, there’s always someone out there to support you. Even a character in a book.

It warms my heart to see this.

Thank you so much for caring, Wali!!

That's awesome encouragement in many ways. 🎉

This is beautiful. I love that the Young King said "all my hard work paid off". It's a lesson that will serve him well all of his life. ✨️😊💛

Bless this dude. I’ve seen a few of his clips where he fully supports his community. Bout time he gets his shine ✊🏾☀️

What a wholesome story. Its been said that it takes a village but sometimes it just takes one person to have an impact on someone. Wishing this young man the very best. With continued support and encouragement each child can reach their full potential.

Wow beautiful person here! A true community minded , caring man.. ❤

An ole-school neighborhood deli guy. Haven't seen one of those in age. Knows the parents and neighborhood kids. Throws a freebie, here or there. Was a staple of the 70s and 80s. Warms my heart to still see that kind of small scale support going down. ❤

Yay!!! Yo can do anything! Thank you for being that person to encourage these children. They will always remember you

Respectable Men pour into children lovingly & encourage them even if they're not their kids. Glad to see this. May he be blessed.

This is a beautiful story. One person really can make a difference. Nice job. Keep up the great work!❤ sometimes we just need someone to believe in us.

This made my heart happy! ❤

What a beautiful love warrior the store owner is ❤❤❤

I love this man, and I thank God for him.

I love that his dad is raising him and raising him well, (as he should be) and that Wali is a member of his community/“village” showing all the kids love and support while also being a great dad himself. ❤

God bless him and that special boy! ❤