At age 12, Ryan Wilson's parents were arrested. He hasn't been with his father since.

Wilson, now 18, started high school without the support of family or plans for his future. College was too costly. He figured he would get a job and work for the rest of his life. But that was before the 2009 graduate met Sgt. Maj. Mike Matson, a Junior Army Reserve Officer Training Corp teacher at Davenport Central High School.

The teacher and student spent hundreds of hours through Central's JROTC program. Matson expected only the best, equipping Wilson with leadership skills and a network of resources that will take him to West Point Military Academy in two years. Matson watched as the boy grew into a man.

"He filled in as a father figure for me," Wilson said. "He motivated me to go for a college career. He kept me involved and helped me stay on the right path. He was much more than a teacher."

As a salute to his teacher, mentor and friend, Wilson nominated him for the Iowa State Education Association's 2009 Excellence in Education Award. Parents, students, colleagues and community members submitted recommendations for more than 70 teachers across the state. Matson landed in the top five without knowing about his nomination.

The Central teacher, who served 22 years in the Army and holds a seat on the Davenport City Council, will accept his award as a runner-up during a ceremony today in Des Moines. Wilson will be at his side.

"Quite honestly, I wasn't sure if someone was messing with me," Matson said. "Ryan Wilson is one of the best cadet students I have ever had.

"Our mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens. We talk about citizenship, leadership and living a healthy lifestyle. I try and help them get some tools to be successful later in life."

And that's just what he did for Wilson, who now attends the University of Iowa on a full military scholarship.

Wilson received an appointment to go to West Point but had to delay his plans because of eyesight problems that are being fixed by doctors at the university, he said. In two years, he plans to transfer to West Point to prepare him for a career in the military, he said.

"You can see what he has done for the student who nominated him," said Rob Scott, principal at Central. "He's made such an impact ... Everyone is looking for something to feel a part of, and he allows them to feel like a part of the Central community."