Harden Daniels and his six-year-old daughter, Alana, have been inseparable since her mom unexpectedly died. She goes virtually in all places with him.
“My essential function in life is to ensure Alana is taken care of,” he stated.
Recognizing Harden’s dedication to being the most effective mum or dad and pupil he may be, Arkansas Single Guardian Scholarship has named him the February 2024 Pupil of the Month.
Harden first utilized for a single mum or dad scholarship virtually 4 years in the past, attending his Zoom interview with Alana on his shoulder. Harden shared he was enrolling within the Power Management Know-how program at ASUN-Marked Tree. He needed to begin an HVAC enterprise as a result of Alana deserved greater than what he might present working in building and factories.
Seeing his dedication, ASPSF awarded him a scholarship regardless of a 1.8 GPA in highschool. Three years later, he graduated within the spring with an affiliate diploma and all As and one B. That summer season he labored on his HVAC enterprise and began lessons in pc and knowledge sciences.
Then, the unimaginable occurred. In July 2023, Harden fell backward off a 12-foot ladder whereas serving to his church’s deacon reduce bushes in a yard.
He shattered his left hip, tore muscle tissue, and broke three ribs and an arm. However the worst half wasn’t the ache from his accidents. It was separation nervousness. The medical doctors wouldn’t let him see Alana, who stayed with household for a month whereas he recovered.
“I by no means had somebody inform me I couldn’t see my daughter,” he stated. “It was one of many scariest issues in my life.”
Harden stayed constructive. He knew he might get by it as a result of he had gotten by onerous instances earlier than: his spouse’s demise, alcoholism, medicine, and a playing habit. He slowly healed and returned house to his daughter, collectively ultimately.
Throughout this turmoil, Harden stayed on prime of his classwork. He picked up his Summer season 2023 scholarship in a walker and, after all, with Alana by his facet. Earlier than fall lessons began, he went to campus to map out his schedule and discover the most effective methods to get round.
As of late he’s strolling with solely a limp. However his accidents could forestall him from turning into an HVAC technician, so getting an IT diploma is much more essential so Harden can discover a job with fewer bodily calls for. He’s at present contemplating a bachelor’s diploma and turning into a instructor. Harden is grateful for all of the monetary and ethical help he’s obtained from ASPSF.
“There aren’t phrases to sum it up aside from ‘thanks,’” he stated. “The scholarship goes a protracted solution to maintain my daughter. It helps preserve us from falling behind in life.”
