By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Two Salina South and Kansas Wesleyan graduates that have stayed together through thick and thin, have made strides and continue to do so as they will impact society in their future careers.
Salina natives Q. Hill (Herman Hill IV) and A.J. Johnson (Arlander Johnson IV) will both be receiving their Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology and Social Work at KWU. The pair have been close friends and teammates since high school, and are both preparing to pursue graduate school.
Reaching Heights
Hill and Johnson are both 22-years old who have defied the odds and marked a milestone not only for themselves, but for the broader community they represent. The significance of them receiving their degrees at 22, places them ahead of national averages for Black men and is a testament to their resilience and determination. Their accomplishment is significant when viewed in a national context.
According to Salina South High School Counselor Heather Smith, only 22.8% of Black men aged 25 and older in the United States have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree. Reaching that milestone by age 22 not only places them ahead of the curve, but also highlights the promise and potential of Salina’s youth.
"Their journey from the hallways of Salina South to the classrooms of KWU and now toward graduate study, exemplifies the power of perseverance, friendship and community," said Salina South Counselor Heather Smith. "This is testament for all young Black men that they can be successful too."
On the Path to Success
Hill and Johnson have stayed connected with each other since high school. Both played football and ran track at South, where they formed a close relationship that continued to grow over the years.
After they graduated high school, both took different routes as Johnson attended Hutchinson Community College and Hill to Butler Community College. Despite the distance, both kept in contact and consistently encouraged each other through difficult times.
Once their juco years were completed, both reunited at KWU with Hill and Johnson running for the track team. After some time at KWU, both men decided to focus on school, as their main goal is to become licensed therapists.
Smith is the mother of Hill and stated that it has been a pleasure watching both of them grow.
"I am extremely proud of their growth and maturity. Their bond is special and they are great, respectable young men, who I say that anyone they have came across with will speak highly of them. They have a heart for people and want to make a difference in this world," said Smith.
“You have to be better, not bitter in life,” said Hill (a phrase his grandmother often told him growing up). “No matter what you go through, don't let your problems keep you down. That mindset and God got me to this point.”
"For a long time, I was only seen for what I could do and not for who I was. This degree is proof that my value goes way beyond performance," said Johnson.
This Saturday, May 17th Hill and Johnson will walk across the stage side by side at the KWU graduation ceremony.
Hill will attend Kansas University for grad school, where he will study in social work.
Johnson will pursue his graduate degree in social work as well. His place of study is undetermined, having only 1 year for grad school due to advanced standing.