After Struggling in Early Education Pennsylvania Student Jayden Alston Earns over $1M in Scholarships

A senior at Upper Darby High School who had academic difficulties in the past has discovered success.

Jayden Alston, an 18-year-old track standout, made the honour roll each semester of high school and received acceptance offers from 20 institutions totalling $1.4 million in merit-based scholarships for a four-year period.

“I’m simply ecstatic,” Alston declared. “Super excited.”
Alston intends to attend West Chester University to pursue a business degree. But it wasn’t an easy trip for him to get here. “In elementary school, because I was struggling to pay attention,” Alston recalled, “I was failing most of my classes.”

Alston spent four years in a special education program as a result of his poor academic performance. But Alston improved his grades and studied more with the help of his parents, professors, and mentors.

“I’m so happy for my boy,” Jamar Alston, Jayden’s father, said. “If you know Jayden, you know Jayden is a really good kid.”

English teacher Kelsey Bierling, who coaches Alston’s track team, has witnessed the change.
“As high school educators, we get to see our kids grow from kids to full-fledged members of society,” Bierling stated. “[Alston] just blossomed over the last three years, and it’s just been so nice to see.”

This guidance is extended to other students who are encountering difficulties by the honor roll student. “Never give up and never give up,” Alston advised.