Lawrence adult education graduate Joseph Johnson found there’s more to his story after he attempted to end his life at age 20.
“The first thing I learned is that I have terrible aim,” Johnson said. “And the second thing I learned is that life will throw things at you that you never expected. You can either let that define you, or you can build up off of that.”
The gunshot caused Johnson to lose his eyesight in both eyes.
He collected his high school diploma six years later, fervently thanking the teachers, staff and administrators who helped him reach his goal. Getting an education was part of finding himself again and righting his wrongs, he told his fellow graduates and their supporters at the ceremony Thursday night.
“I hope my story, as well as everybody else’s today, is just another example of why no matter at what point in life you’re in, you can make change in yourself and around you,” Johnson said. “It’s never too early, it’s never too late.”
As part of the Class of 2025, 62 students graduated from the adult education program.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center graduates — 29 this year — each earn a Kansas State High School diploma from the Kansas Board of Regents for completing the GED test. Others who graduated from the Diploma Completion Program earn diplomas from either high school – this year, 17 from Free State and 16 from Lawrence High.
Chase Simpson, Lawrence Adult Learning Center graduate, said he stopped attending school at age 16 when his two choices were to never miss another day of school or face truancy. He had completed eighth grade but didn’t finish ninth, and he said he didn’t care to. He didn’t care about much of anything at that time.
After five years of feeling lost, he started working, reconnected with his friends, and pursued his GED.
“I decided it was finally time to stop hiding from my life and decided to finally take control of it for myself, and that’s how I got here,” Simpson said. “The last thing I’d like to do is thank everyone that’s a part of this program — thank my teachers. They insist I could have done it without them, but I couldn’t have.”
Superintendent Jeanice Swift and school board President Kelly Jones each shared words of encouragement Thursday, calling the graduates inspiring.
Mark Preut, principal of the Lawrence Adult Education Center and Alternative Programs, said the word that best represents the Class of 2025 is “resilience.”
“Each of you has a story to tell,” Preut said. “Each of you faced adversity and each of you overcame.”
Get mental health help in Lawrence
These resources are available 24/7 if you or someone you know needs immediate mental health help:
• Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center: 785-843-9192; 1000 W. Second St. in Lawrence; trcdgks.org
• Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center: 785-843-9192; bertnash.org
• HeadQuarters Kansas: 785-841-2345; hqkansas.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988; veterans, press 1
• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator and Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at [email protected]. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
More coverage: Graduation 2025
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times‘It’s never too early, it’s never too late’: Lawrence adult education graduates earn GEDs, diplomas
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
