At 10, he could barely read. Now, with 'above and beyond' support from MPS teachers, he's Marshall High's valedictorian.

When Jaden Bandy started fourth grade, he could only read "bits and pieces," and the 10-year-old was far behind the average student his age reading chapter books.

Eight years later, Bandy has overcome his struggles and accomplished a lot. This graduation season, he was named valedictorian of Milwaukee Marshall High School.

"(Becoming valedictorian) really gives me a little more momentum to keep going," he said. "It's the highest honor I think you can get in high school."

In the fall, Bandy will attend Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he plans to major in electrical engineering. He earned the competitive All-In Milwaukee scholarship, along with other scholarships which he said will cover all of his college expenses.

This summer, he is taking two math classes to prepare for pre-calculus at MSOE. He also plans to join MSOE's Black Student Union and participate in the school's esports and gaming communities. After college, he hopes to pursue a career in robotics engineering.

However, Bandy didn't always have his life planned out in this much detail. He described his fourth-grade self as a "carefree kid."

"I don't think it was that I wasn't interested in reading," he recalled. "It was more than that. I struggled."

What benefitted him most, he said, were the caring teachers who advocated for him, guided him and took time to explain the concepts he didn't understand.

"Those teachers along the way took extra time out of their day to try and help me," Bandy said. "It made me feel appreciated. It made me feel valued as a student that they were taking time to give me that extra support."

He enrolled in a program that helped students catch up in math and reading. By the time he reached sixth grade, he was reading at his grade level. By seventh grade, he was reading above it.

During seventh grade, Bandy said he was tired of receiving extra academic support.

"I was like, 'Cool, I've got it from here. I can do it myself,'" he said.

He changed his mind after an important realization.

"I really think a lot of MPS teachers go above and beyond to give extra support, resources or connections to students," he said. "Once you take the help or you take the resources, a lot is thrown your way. You get a lot of opportunities ... I decided to take the help, and that's good."

Once Bandy entered high school, he became involved in many activities including the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, senior senate and student council. He said his favorite classes at Marshall have been science classes, engineering-focused classes, and — most surprisingly to him — literature classes.

He attributes this love of literature to "great teachers" like his Advanced Placement Literature teacher, who selected engaging stories that made him want to keep reading. One book Bandy was particularly fond of was Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple."

"That book is amazing," he said.

Taking care of himself, then helping others

Parice Beckley is Marshall High School's college and career counselor. This year, she mentored Bandy and advised him in the scholarship and college application processes.

"Working with Jaden has been amazing ... he is truly inspirational and motivating," she said.

Beckley said she is particular proud that Bandy was one of 105 Milwaukee Public Schools seniors awarded the All-In Milwaukee scholarship this year.

She explained the $12,000 scholarship provides students with "wrap-around services" including a college coach, personal and career development support, and networking events with peers and program donors. The scholarship supports students attending seven Wisconsin colleges and universities: UW-Milwaukee, UW-Madison, UW-Whitewater, Alverno College, Marquette University, Wisconsin Lutheran College and MSOE.

After finishing his application for the scholarship program, Beckley said Bandy helped many of his classmates with the three essays required to apply.

"You can always count on Jaden to step in to help you," she said.

For Bandy, that works both ways. When asked what he would tell younger students struggling in reading or other academic subjects, he said, "There's always someone willing to help."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee grad learned to read in fourth grade, becomes valedictorian