As Jaylen King prepares to graduate from Cardwell Career Preparatory Center, he reflects on his journey through school that has not been marked by ease but by determination and grit.
After moving from Louisiana in elementary school, Jalen struggled with reading and keeping up with his classmates. By the end of second grade, his family and teachers made the difficult decision to hold him back. School at times felt like a reminder of things he couldn’t do, and he was often disinterested in what was being taught.
Things started to change when he entered middle school. Though academics were sometimes a challenge, Jaylen found a spark of curiosity in a coding class. It was his first time being truly interested in learning. In seventh grade, he was encouraged by his counselor to catch up to his grade level by applying for Cardwell as a freshman.
Cardwell, he states, was “just right for me. The smaller class sizes and campus really helped. The teachers were so willing to help and gave me the extra attention I needed. When I was struggling, my teachers helped me step by step. It really got me on track.” He excitedly shares that, “the teachers made assignments really fun and more interactive! I used to hate English, but now it’s my favorite subject!”
Jaylen began to thrive at Cardwell and was especially interested in all the hands-on projects. He joined the Robotics Club as a freshman and began looking forward to going to school. Jaylen proudly earned a spot as treasurer on the Student Council and was responsible for their budget, helping with fundraising and more.
He says a big part of his motivation is his family.
“I became interested in college because I heard it could really change your life,” he says. “We sometimes struggled growing up. God willing, one day I will have my own family and kids, and I want to be able to provide for them.”
In fact, Jalen’s persistence has even inspired his older brother to return to college and finish his degree.
Jaylen is keeping his options open, but he is ready to be a college student. He plans to major in computer science – a goal he didn’t think was possible even a few years ago. He has been accepted to two colleges so far, including the University of Texas at Arlington and Dallas College, but he wants to see who offers the best scholarships before committing.
