Despite dealing with significant obstacles in her life, Arroyo Grande High School senior Ashley Johnson will receive her diploma tonight and continue her education.

Ashley, who plans to attend California State University, Monterey Bay, in the fall, will be one of 466 seniors graduating tonight in a 5 p.m. ceremony in the school's Hitchen Stadium.

“My experiences here were really good because most of my teachers were understanding of my situation,” said Ashley. “There were a lot of troubling times in life. I m still having to deal with a lot of stuff.”

After a particularly rough childhood, Ashley attempted suicide as a young teenager. At one point, she worked full time at a drug store in Fontana to support herself.

Now a 17-year-old Pismo Beach resident, Ashley attended five schools in the last six years.

“My dad kicked me out of my house recently, so I have been having to stay at a friend's house,” Ashley added. “It has just been really hard moving, finding a place to stay and graduating on time.”

Ashley has a younger half-brother, Corey Johnson, with whom she is close, but he lives in Florida.

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Among the people whom she thanks for helping her make it through school are AGHS journalism teacher Carolyn Swanson and Advanced Placement English teacher Thom Wade.

“Ashley is very modest and somewhat private,” said Swanson. “From just looking at her, you wonder what such a beautiful and intelligent girl could have gone through. She has overcome obstacles and has such a bright future ahead of her.”

Ashley was enrolled in Swanson's newspaper production class and wrote several articles as one of the school newspaper's feature editors during her senior year.

She was recently named among the 2007 winners of the Horatio Alger Association for Distinguished Americans Award. The $2,500 award was given to Ashley after she turned in several essays on the challenges she has had to overcome while maintaining a 3.6 overall grade-point average during high school.

“She is very task-oriented and is willing to write about almost any topic,” Swanson added. “She continues to push herself even with all the hardships she has undergone.”

Ashley ‘s extracurricular activities include tutoring Spanish and participating in church youth groups.

“What makes Ashley special is her ability to put the everyday distractions of life on hold,” said Conan Bowers, AGHS vice principal. “She has been dealt a very tough hand, yet she continues to play the game of life without flinching.”

Bowers said he has known Ashley since childhood when she was a fourth-grade student at Margaret Harloe Elementary School in Arroyo Grande where Bowers was employed.

“Ashley can and will achieve whatever she puts her mind to,” Bowers added. “She is smart, articulate and, most of all, determined to be successful.”

Despite her circumstances, Ashley still finds ways to help others and improve people's lives. In 2005, she was part of a program that helped build houses for homeless families in Mexico.

“You can't be afraid to ask for help and/or support when it is needed,” Ashley said. “People want to help but are not able to unless you tell them you need it.”

Hector Trujillo can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5008, or htrujillo@santamariatimes.com.

June 7, 2007