Johnson High graduates first senior class

The new Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High celebrated a historical moment Wednesday night with the graduation of the school’s first senior class.  The 201 students who chose to end their high school careers at the brand new campus were praised not only for their academic success, but for their courage in taking on the challenges of being the “first to show, first to go.”

“We’ve learned this year that with change, comes reward,” said Hannah Lee Fisher, who delivered the baccalaureate address. 

When Johnson High opened last August, a grandfather clause gave incoming seniors the option to remain at their current school or transfer to the new campus.  The decision to finish their high school career building new memories within strange hallways was a sacrifice not lost on administrators.  “You’ve set traditions, you’ve set the pace,” said Johnson Principal Kris Wickerham.  “The success of each upcoming class will be your success.”

Despite their small size, Johnson’s Class of 2009 received $1.4 million in scholarships.  All 201 students were accepted to a two or four year college or university, 177 earned the mark of Texas Scholar and 5 received the National Merit Award.  

Even more impressive, said Wickerham, has been the students’ compassion and warm personalities.  “I hope you never lose your smiles or your kind spirits.”  They have certainly left our school a better place and will leave the world a better place as well, said Wickerham.  You’ll go a lot of different directions and do a lot of things, but "all roads will lead back to Lady Bird Johnson because it is your home.”