Bound for Ivy League, Willard graduate and 'great human being' known for focus, kindness

Willard High School senior Karon Johnson only seriously considered offers from four colleges. But all four were Ivy League.

Recruited by Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University and Dartmouth College, he picked Brown and will report mid-July to the Rhode Island campus.

"It all boiled down to the people and the culture and seeing the amalgamation of people that are there, seeing how Brown integrates itself with Providence, the city, and the whole vibe of New England was really appealing to me," he said of the choice. "There are a lot of opportunities I can have, getting to meet new people."

Nationally ranked in shot put, Karon qualified to compete at the state track and field championships for three years in a row. He regularly throws for 60 feet or more.

His athletic prowess is just one piece of the equation.

The 18-year-old graduated May 14 with a weighted 4.3 GPA, on a 4.0 scale, and was part of National Honor Society, student government and an award-winning chamber choir. He played football, earned a Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, and participated in the CoxHealth Medical Explorers program.

Karon was also an avid volunteer and a champion for his younger brother, who was diagnosed with autism.

Willard High Principal Kevin Morrison described Karon as "always polite" and "one of the nicest young men you will ever meet."

"He was constantly working. He would get here early, before he was driving, and you'd find him waiting outside the doors just working on his (class) work," Morrison said.

"He was so focused. When you see an athlete who puts just as much effort, if not more, into academics and into his activities — just his involvement — I love that. He is an all-around great human being."

Morrison said he observed the way Karon interacted with his younger brother, Joaquin, a sophomore.

"He treats him with kindness — but like everybody else, inclusive," he said. "Karon Johnson, truly, he is an example of the best of us."

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'Protective of the people I love'

The son of Armando and Angela Johnson, Karon spent his early years in Kansas — where his parents grew up — and then moved to Willard, where he started first grade.

He developed a lot of interests but in high school he made singing, honors classes and shot put his priorities.

"I found something I loved, I honed in on it and I put all of my passion and my love into it," he said.

Karon said his parents came from humble beginnings but worked hard. He wanted to emulate them and make them proud.

His father, one of 11 children raised by a single mom in Wichita, has spent his entire life as a teacher and coach.

Armando Johnson teaches Spanish at Central High School and was honored as the 2020-21 Springfield Teacher of the Year.

"To see what he has done for people, to see how he has pulled himself up by his bootstraps, that has made me realize that if somebody like him — who, to a lot of the world, had nothing — can have such a huge impact on the Ozarks, then I have to do something as well," Karon said.

"That is something that has driven me this whole time, to be like my dad and to be someone who leaves their mark."

His said his mom, who grew up in a rural community, has spent most of her life working in the nonprofit sector.

Armando Johnson said his son was never interested in just "getting by."

"I've watched a kid grow up who always had his head on his shoulders, he was always focused and I didn't know to what extent that he was serious about his academic career," he said of his son.

He said when growing up, the Johnsons often got notes from teachers saying how kind Karon was to classmates.

Karon said being Joaquin's older brother taught him to be less selfish. "Being selfish is such a thief of joy."

He said individuals who have autism ought to be treated just like anyone else.

"I've learned to be protective of the people I love, especially my brother. His journey is going to be different than mine," he said. "I hope I've paved the way, that people know 'That is Karon's brother' and that person is super cool and you can be his friend. I hope me being an advocate for my brother helps raise awareness of people with autism."

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'Put yourself in good situations'

Karon said leaving Willard and moving to a college campus 1,300 miles away will be a challenge.

"I'm definitely going to be homesick but it's going to be a good change. My parents taught me that change can be good, especially if you put yourself in good situations," he said. "It is going to be a lot of new perspectives, a lot of new cultures and a lot of new connections."

Karon said he believes in "staying ready and intellectually curious" and when he discovered a passion for throwing the shot put or learning a second language, he pushed himself to go as far as possible.

In applying to colleges, he focused on where he wanted to go and did not pick "safe" or fallback schools.

Karon plans to major in health and human biology at Brown — where majors are called "concentrations" — and he will minor in Spanish literature.

"Being bilingual, especially in today's society, is so important," Karon said.

He wants to work as a physical therapist, helping patients in a hospital setting or by owning his own business. He is initially interested in working with athletes but is keeping an open mind.

Karon received early admission to Brown, where tuition, fees and housing will exceed $71,000 for the 2023-24 year.

He knew getting into an Ivy League school would be tough and costly but believed if he put in the work during high school, everything would fall into place.

He said Brown offers need-based and academic scholarships but not athletic scholarships.

"A lot of people when they see these super prestigious universities, they look at the sticker price and think 'Well, I'll never be able to go there,'" he said. "I have most of my tuition covered already and most of my housing covered."

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bound for Ivy League, Willard High graduate known for focus, kindness