Asheville high school senior Judah Dayton has faced a unique set of challenges — he experienced Hurricane Helene, and his father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. But Dayton has been able to keep his head up with the help of his community.
“I’m a warrior, everyone else is a warrior and a warrior helps out another warrior,” he said. “Going back to when my dad did get diagnosed with cancer, everyone revolved around me.”
As vice president of the senior class at Clyde A. Erwin High School, Dayton has the coveted job of doing the school announcements every morning and is very involved in school. He’s a member of the Student Government Association, runs track, plays football, acts as a peer leader in the school's Suicide Prevention Program and has maintained a 4.46 GPA.
Football is what he loves most.
“It’s my life. The reason why I really do come to school,” Dayton said. “Playing a game that alleviates my stress and makes me happy, that’s the best part of my life.”
He’s proud of the work he and his team have accomplished this year.
“Conference championship my senior year, that’s amazing. First time that Erwin's done it all out since 2000 and then first time all conference my senior year,” he said.
Dayton is determined to keep moving forward, no matter what life throws his way.
“We can get through this; I can get through this. The struggle will weigh you down if you let it weigh you down,” Dayton said.
State Rep. Lindsey Prather, who used to teach at Erwin High School, awarded Dayton the $1,000 scholarship that he can use at the college he chooses. He will be the first person in his family to attend college.
"He’s the perfect example of an Erwin High School student. He’s an incredibly strong athlete in multiple areas, a leader in student government and also an incredibly resilient student,” Prather said.