PHOTO PROVIDED With the community’s help, Marion-Walker Elementary School fourth grader Kieran Long could be named “America’s Favorite Student.”

BELLEFONTE — With the community’s help, Marion-Walker Elementary School fourth grader Kieran Long could be named “America’s Favorite Student.”

He is competing in Colossal’s “America’s Favorite Student” contest, which is raising money for The Planetary Society, the world’s largest non-profit space organization.

Long, 10, of Bellefonte, just reached the top five and is days away from advancing to the quarterfinals of the national fundraising contest.

The winner will receive $20,000, appear in Reader’s Digest and tour The Planetary Society in California with Bill Nye, a prize his family says could help open doors for his future.

In a statement relayed by his father, Mike Long, a Penns Valley High School teacher, Kieran said he hopes to win to show that children who are neurodivergent or twice exceptional — gifted but with learning differences — like him can achieve their goals.

“Even kids who have ADHD can be successful,” he said.

According to his parents, Kieran loves school and his favorite subjects are math, reading and art. When he grows up, they added, he wants to be a scientist or LEGO engineer.

“Kieran loves working with numbers and constantly amazes us and his teachers with his ability to catch on quick and learn complex skills so easily,” his parents said. “Being able to expand his skills and mind is what Kieran craves the most in school — along with his friends, who he is excited to see every day.”

With enough votes from the community, Long will advance to the contest quarterfinals Thursday, April 23, where he’ll face other students from around the country.

You can help Kieran become America’s Favorite Student by casting your free daily vote, or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Planetary Society and their mission to inspire curiosity and help shape the future of space exploration for everyone.

Voting takes place every 24 hours.

If Kieran advances, votes reset each round for the final three rounds of the competition, which ends May 21. Supporters are encouraged to vote daily to help Kieran stay ahead.

To vote, visit: https://americasfavstudent.org/2026/kieran-10.

“This type of money would allow Kieran to explore all options in his educational future. It could help with travel when looking into schools he really wants to consider, and just having the help with books and supplies would be something this could go towards,” his parents said. “To put that somewhere to be available to him in the future is a game changer.”

Kieran, who once donated more than $1,000 he raised for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign, said he wants to donate a portion of the prize to a children’s hospital.