Valedictorian Luke Laurenson takes inspiration from Taylor Swift in addressing fellow classmates

By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news

A sea of more than 200 Ashland High graduates turned their red and white tassels and the next page of their lives on Friday night.

Among the some 220 graduates on stage at the Lithia Park Bandshell, 12 students were honored and acknowledged as valedictorians, and five as salutatorians. Members of the Class of 2023 were about to finish their freshmen year in spring 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“It makes me really proud to see this class in particular, because (when) they started their ninth grade year, it was seemingly a normal year, the world seemed normal, and then COVID hit spring of their ninth grade year and they had to navigate high school in a way that was totally unpredictable, and they’ve been incredibly successful and overcome it all,” said Ben Bell, principal at AHS.

It was an especially celebratory night for valedictorian and senior Luke Hogan Laurenson. With the help of his educational aide, Jannet Mickey, he walked to receive his diploma, and was among those who presented valedictorian speeches using a special computer system to congratulate his fellow classmates.

Luke is this year’s “Sparrow” at AHS, part of a partnership with Bend-based non-profit Sparrow Clubs USA. The organization partners with local, corporate sponsors and schools to unlock funds to help students facing disabilities and/or life-threatening diseases. Fundraising overall, which includes a GoFundMe page, to date has raised about $45,000 toward the $110,000 goal. A portion of a school assembly on Wednesday morning will celebrate the culmination of students’ fundraising efforts.

At 6 months of age, Luke was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder. He also has a speech disability — dysarthria — that requires him to use a computer system to communicate, which he put to use Friday night.

As a Bellview Elementary student, Laurenson wrote a poem titled, “I dream,” which he read during his speech:

“I dream about not having CP (cerebral palsy), I would be jumping up and down,” Luke said, in the second line, via his computer system. “I dream about dancing by myself, I would love it. I dream about talking by myself, I would talk about math. I dream about running by myself, I would run across the world. I dream about eating by myself, I would eat an ice cream cone.” 

Doctors told Luke’s parents he would likely spend most of his life in an institution and that he’d probably never walk or talk. 

“I just never believed that,” Laurenson said via his computer system. 

In his 18 years of life, Luke underwent hundreds of medical appointments, including a surgery, and neuromotor therapy that he said has helped him so much.

“I still have medical appointments every week and this will continue all my life,” Luke said. 

He also shared some of the highlights.

At age 12, he started walking independently and, a month later, he danced by himself for the first time.

In 2019, he played a role on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival stage production of “Hairspray,” the musical.

“I got to dance across the stage and sing with my friends, all while I was a full-time student,” he said. “That was crazy and I even got paid.”

Another dream of Luke’s was to graduate with a 4.0 GPA, which he did, which he was inspired to do by his sister, Julia.

“A lot of people assumed it would not be possible because of my disabilities,” he said.

He was happy to report that not only did he get an A in his Algebra II class without using his hands, he also stood before them as a valedictorian, one of 12 in this year’s class.

Luke implored fellow classmates to never give up and use their “will” and their “strength” to work hard.

“And if you do, you will have a great life,” Luke said.

“Being in high school is like a rollercoaster,” he added. 

“And even though it was all a totally crazy ride, you still go get back in line to go again. Of course, it is no fun to ride rollercoasters alone. During challenging times, it is important to have incredible people who can help you along the way.”

Luke thanked his longtime educational aide, Jannet Mickey, his teachers, caregivers, his dad, Chuck Laurenson; his mom, Jane Hogan; and his sister, Julia.

He also couldn’t not mention singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift, who inspired him to walk. He got to meet her at age 13 at one of her concerts and sit with her parents, thanks to The Dream Factory of Oregon. 

“Long live all the mountains we moved/I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you,” he said, referencing the T-Swift 2010 song “Long Live.” 

“Beyond high school, there are still mountains to move,” he added. “I hope if you take anything away from my story, it is that when you see a differently-abled person that you will take time to be kind to them and remember they are likely capable of much more than you can imagine.”

Ashland Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove, in an interview with Ashland.news before the ceremony began, recalled reading Luke a Berenstain Bears book when he was in kindergarten, in addition to following his progress since.

“He’s a pretty amazing young man,” Bogdanove said.

Bogdanove also noted the importance of the day for all of the graduates and their families.

“It’s an exciting time for families, it’s an exciting time for the graduates themselves,” Bogdanove said. “It’s what all the 13 years of school are about.”

Reach Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].

June 12 update: Name of Luke’s father corrected, link to Luke’s GoFundMe page added, and names of all school valedictorians and salutatorians added.