He lived underneath bridges around Colorado Springs, he was addicted to drugs and alcohol and even served some time in jail. His name is Daniel Bahlen and on Saturday he did something he thought he would never do. He walked across a stage to receive his college diploma.

Bahlen, 30-years-old, graduated with his Associates Degree in the Arts at Pikes Peak Community College.

More than 1,600 students graduated from PPCC on Saturday. They all reached a milestone in their lives, but Bahlen's journey wasn't like most of the other students.

Bahlen didn't only receive his diploma, but won this year's Inspirational Achievement Award. "No, I would have never dreamed it, no. I'm so proud and excited," said Bahlen.

He lead a hard-knock life. He was in and out of foster homes. He got into drugs and alcohol and was homeless for eight years. He slept under bridges and on park benches. "It was a real rough journey," said Bahlen.

Two years ago he decided to turn his life around. "Being down at that point, you just don't want to be there anymore," said Bahlen.

Eddie Hughes is the man who helped Bahlen get where he is today. Hughes is PPCC's Multi-Cultural Retention Specialist. "I told him, you're going to graduate one day," said Hughes.

He was right.

It wasn't long before the two became friends. "Any time there was a bump in the road, I was there and we had some hard times," said Hughes.

Hughes would also offer Bahlen words of encouragement, "It doesn't matter where you start, it's all about where you finish," said Hughes.

Bahlen made it, and today he says much bigger dreams await him. "I hope to go back and help my tribe," said Bahlen. He is Native American. His tribe is the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona where less than 2% have degrees. Bahlen says, he hopes one day to change that.

Bahlen isn't done with his education. He's been accepted into Fort Lewis College in Durango to pursue his Bachelors Degree in Native American Studies and Pre-Law.

Even though Durango is more than 300 miles away Bahlen and Hughes say they plan to stay in touch for years to come.