Photos: Mondays with Mr. Collins

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Photos: Mondays with Mr. Collins

A dedicated stranger and the game of chess help a troubled child turn his life around

Ashton and Mr. Collins in August 2006. As a young child, Ashton suffered from low self-esteem. Art Collins helped Ashton build more confidence.

Ashton Jordan's scholarships include the Gates Millennium Scholars Program and Army ROTC. Since Ashton Jordan was 6 years old, Art Collins has been his mentor and has had lunch with him every week and still does. Ashton is now a senior and Mr. Collins picks him up every Monday and takes him to a Burger King for lunch. Ashton, a troubled child, barely spoke when he was in the first grade and Mr. Art Collins came into his life. But Collins didn't give up and this 78-year-old grandfather went to Ashton's school for lunch week after week. One day, he brought chess and that changed everything. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton Jordan gets dressed for graduation. Since Ashton Jordan was 6 years old, Art Collins has been his mentor and has had lunch with him every week and still does. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton Jordan drives to Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies at North Dekalb Stadium (visible through the window) in Chamblee with his mother, Dee Jordan. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Art Collins (right) greets and gives Ashton Jordan a hug as they meet before Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies at North Dekalb Stadium in Chamblee. Since Ashton Jordan was 6 years old, Art Collins has been his mentor and had lunch with him every week. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Mr. Collins leaps to his feet and cheers when hearing Ashton's name called at high school graduation. Also photographed is Ashton's mother Dee, other family members and friends, and his Big Brother Alan Cosby. Mr. Collins' only son died in 1996. Ashton was born that same year. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton was recently invited to speak to students at Shadow Rock Center, a school for children with emotional and behavioral problems. He told them: “I know it gets tough sometimes, it becomes easy to believe that you will never do better, that you will never be better. I understand; I get it because I lived it. Listen, there was once a time when I too felt all hope was lost and that I would not achieve my dreams. . . Today I stand before you as a testament to overcoming obstacles no matter how many or how difficult. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton Jordan (second from right) processes out after graduation. Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies at North Dekalb Stadium in Chamblee. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton Jordan (left) celebrates with other graduates after Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies at North Dekalb Stadium in Chamblee. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Mr. Collins (from left), his wife, Betty, and Ashton Jordan celebrate with family members at Dagwood's Pizza in Norcross after Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Art Collins (right) greets and gives Ashton Jordan a hug as they meet before Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies at North Dekalb Stadium in Chamblee. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Art Collins gives Ashton Jordan a final hug for the night as he heads to grad night activities after celebrating with family members at Dagwood's Pizza in Norcross after Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies. Since Ashton Jordan was 6 years old, Art Collins has been his mentor and had lunch with him every week. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton Jordan (center left) looks skyward as his class of graduates toss their mortarboards into the air after receiving their diplomas. Dunwoody High School graduation ceremonies at North Dekalb Stadium in Chamblee. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Before opening the letter from the Gates Foundation, Dee told her son, “Before you open it, let's agree, that if God doesn't do anything else, he has already done enough. He agreed and then tore into the big envelope. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Art Collins (left) and Ashton Jordan meet for their last lunch before Ashton's high school graduation. Ashton's mother, Dee Jordan (center), stopped by to visit with them. Since Ashton Jordan was 6 years old, Art Collins has been his mentor and has had lunch with him every week. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Mr. Collins eats lunch with Ashton on a recent Monday, just like he has for several years. Over time, these weekly get-togethers have changed Ashton’s life. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Over time, Ashton and Mr. Collins were no longer only mentor and child. They were family. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

On a recent Monday at Burger King, Ashton asked Mr. Collins when will they play chess again. “How about never?” said Mr. Collins with a laugh. “You always beat me now.” BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Since Ashton was 6 years old, Mr. Collins has been his mentor and has had lunch with him every week and still does. Ashton, a troubled child, barely spoke when he was in the first grade and Mr. Art Collins came into his life. But Collins didn’t give up. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton with Mr. and Mrs. Collins after his performance in the school play Godspell Jr. at Peachtree Charter Middle School, Ashton was in the 6th grade.

Art Collins (left) and Ashton Jordan meet for their last lunch before Ashton's high school graduation. It was "senior day", and they decided on going to the Mad Italian Restaurant instead of their usual Burger King. Since Ashton Jordan was 6 years old, Art Collins has been his mentor and has had lunch with him every week. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Mr. Collins rode with Ashton and his mom to drop off Ashton off at Camp Woodlands. Ashton's mom took the photo. The boy in the photo is one of Ashton's childhood friends, Chase Mauldin.

Ashton immediately fell in love with Elon University. He was particularly impressed by the university’s commitment to diversity. But he didn’t make a final decision until after visiting the university for a second time – this time with Mr. and Mrs. Collins. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Ashton Jordan and Mr. Collins during a recent visit to Elon University. handout

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Ashton and Mr. Collins in August 2006. As a young child, Ashton suffered from low self-esteem. Art Collins helped Ashton build more confidence.

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