Star student accepted into 20 schools, earned over $1 million in grants

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (KYW) - The saying, “it’s not how one starts, but how they finish” applies to a high school student from Pennsylvania who is graduating this spring.

Jayden Alston once struggled academically, but he turned his life around.

Over the past couple months, he received acceptance letters from 20 colleges.

Track has helped the Upper Darby High School senior overcome life’s hurdles.

“It taught me discipline and a hard work ethic, and it taught me that I need to strive to do more and become a better person,” Jayden said.

On and off the track, the star athlete has always pushed himself to the next level, but his journey hasn’t been easy.

“In elementary school, because I was struggling to pay attention, I was failing most of my classes,” Jayden said.

He was placed in special education classes because of his low grades.

“I felt hopeless at the time, and I felt as if I had the world against me,” Jayden added.

His course changed in eighth grade.

With the support of his parents, teachers and mentors, Jayden studied harder, making the honor roll every semester of high school.

“I’m proud of you, man,” Jamar Alston, Jayden’s father, said to his son.

Jayden’s father is filled with pride.

“At the end of the day, I’m just so happy for my boy,” Jamar Alston said. “If you know Jayden, you know Jayden is a really good kid.”

Track coach Kelsey Bierling has seen the transformation.

“He just blossomed over the last three years and it’s just been so nice to see,” Kelsey Bierling, Jayden’s track coach, said.

Jayden was accepted to 20 colleges that offered him a combined $1.4 million in merit-based scholarships over the course of four years.

“I’m just super happy, super excited,” Jayden remarked.

Jayden is planning to study business at West Chester University.

The honor student offered advice to others who may be facing a challenge.

“Always stay resilient and keep pushing,” Jayden said.

Jayden was a member of three honor societies during his senior year.