For a lot of seniors, graduation means getting away from friends and family and being on their own.

But for Christian Johns, who is tied for fifth academically at Carthage High School, he will attend Truman State University in Kirksville and will room with two of his best friends.

“I have made some very good friends in high school and those times with them will be very good memories for me,” said Christian. “In fact, I’m going to Truman State with two of my best friends and we are going to room together. Time with friends is so important to me.”

Christian, the son of Kathy and Jon Johns, has lived in Carthage his entire life. He will major in history education and hope to become a teacher someday.
“I like history a lot,” said Christian. “I like the themes of history and teaching will allow me to learn more about it. There also is a lot of research involved and I like that very much.”

Christian chose Truman State, which is about six to seven hours away, because “it is far enough to feel like college, but close enough to come home when I want to.”
During his senior year, Christian was involved with the debate team and history day.
“I really liked those two events because it allowed me to be with my friends,” said Christian.

Being a part of the last graduating class from the current building is special to Christian.

“It will be neat to come back and look at the building and say that I was part of the last graduating class from that building,” said Christian. “This is a vintage building. This is history here and now I’m part of that history. That is special to me.”

While Christian’s parents have been very important to him, it is his teachers he has grown to admire and respect that has had a profound influence on his life.

“The teachers give you all this information and then my parents helped me figure it all out,” he said. “That is really neat how that works out.”

Twenty years down the road, Christian said he will probably still be trying to figure everything out.

“I just hope that I will be happy in my pursuit of trying to figure everything out,” he said.
Following graduation, which will be in just a few days, Christian wants to be remembered for two things.

“I want people to remember me as friendly and confident,” said Christian.