That began to change after he enrolled in Green Springs High School. At Green Springs, Ederson encountered a different learning environment.

“It felt like all the teachers at the school really cared,” he explains. “Whenever I felt like I could not succeed, my teachers and my peers encouraged me to keep working hard.”

There certainly were times when Ederson still worried that he wouldn’t succeed, especially when it came to math. “Math has always been my least favorite subject,” he states plainly.

Despite his prior struggles, which included several unsuccessful attempts to pass the PERT math assessment, Ederson found the perseverance -- along with some math tutoring and personal support -- to pass the test and set his sights on the future. Fittingly, Ederson is focused on finding ways to help others succeed with a second chance.

“I want to pay it forward,” he says, “and help others achieve their goals.” He talks about owning his own business to employ those who need a second chance while also looking for ways to help others achieve financial freedom through real estate investment.

He’s also interested in pursuing the technical training that will help him with his other passion: cars. While he’s currently saving up to buy his first vehicle, Ederson has found the motivation to work hard and stay focused on success beyond high school. He credits the caring, supportive atmosphere at Green Springs for providing the inspiration he needed.