Senior Luke Davis will miss Longview once he graduates from Longview High School, but he is excited for the next chapter of his life.
Born in Arkansas, Luke lived outside of the U.S. for a few years before his family moved to Longview. Once in Lobo country, he attended Johnston-McQueen and enjoyed the experience all the way through.
Luke, who has Autism, has made plenty of great memories along his way to graduation. He has enjoyed swimming with the Lobo swim team throughout high school, spending Friday mornings with his friend Layla at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and so much more. Now, all these years later, Luke will be returning to his home state thanks to receiving his acceptance letter from the University of Arkansas’ EMPOWER program.
“I’m excited to be a Razorback and to make new friends there,” Luke said. “I’m not worried at all. I’m just going to miss my family.”
EMPOWER is a four-year, non-degree college experience for students with cognitive disabilities that incorporates functional academics, independent living, employment, social/leisure skills, and health/wellness skills in a public university setting with the goal of producing self-sufficient young adults.
After graduating from the EMPOWER program, Luke wants to be a college history professor’s assistant or perhaps a museum guide as he is a huge fan of history, especially U.S.
He loves to share his knowledge any way he can. Many of the teachers at the high school have been so kind as to let Luke share important historical events with them every day. In fact, they have come to expect it. If given the opportunity, Luke would also love a job in the film industry as he is a movie buff and loves to learn anything about his favorite films.
His mother, Millie McWilliams, is proud of Luke and knows that he will do great at Arkansas.
“We’ve been really fortunate to have such great teachers (at LISD) and it has been such a great experience,” she said. “I would probably be really nervous about him going off to a big school if he hadn’t been at Longview High School. I think he’s going to do great.”
For his fellow seniors and underclassman, Luke has some words of wisdom: “Work hard, stay safe.”