As we celebrate the achievements of all graduates at College of the Redwoods this week, it is worth noting that the class valedictorians three of the past four years have been scholars in recovery from addictions. I write this to those who are still struggling. My hope is that all of you use these three amazing role models as beacons to light your way to what is possible, especially when you feel there is no hope.
The class of 2022 valedictorian was Jeremy Campbell. He graduated from CR with his certificate in addiction studies, an AS in social work and human services and an AA in liberal arts. This year he graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt with his bachelor of arts in social work. He is a military veteran. Despite his own years of challenges with addiction, he rose up in the ranks at Waterfront Recovery Center from a substance use disorder counselor to executive director. He now leaves Humboldt County as a newlywed, heading to Massachusetts to work on his master’s degree. He wants to advocate for good government policy in addiction and mental health services.
In 2024, the valedictorian was Antonio Godoy. As well as earning his certificate in addiction studies, he earned his associate degree for transfer in psychology and is now studying at Cal Poly Humboldt for his bachelor’s in psychology. He works as a substance abuse counselor at Waterfront Recovery Center, as well as Redwood Recovery Center. Despite his years of challenges in his own addictions, at 40 years old, his goal is medical school. He wants to specialize in addiction medicine. Again, he is a role model to all interns and new counselors who see him as an example of overcoming his dark times and looking forward to a challenging and rewarding future.
This year, the class of 2025 valedictorian, Greg Johnson, took a different direction in his recovery from his addiction to alcohol. This week he earned his associate’s degree for transfer in mathematics at age 39. He is now on to Cal Poly with his goal of graduate school. His moto is one that I have been professing to my students for 16 years: “You don’t have to be the smartest — just show up and do the work.”
Every year, students start their studies at CR in the Addiction Studies Certificate Program. Not all will finish. Most are in the program as their way of helping others challenged with addiction and mental health issues, as others have helped them. As is common, some will relapse but many of those come back and finish.
Watching this year’s group of 15 graduates in addiction studies walk across the stage at commencement fills me with pride. It always humbles me when I realize the challenges they have faced compared to the joy they now feel. They are now sharing this joy with their families and friends who never thought this was possible. They always inspire me.
Many were there with their children, some of whom walked the stage with them. They are demonstrating to those children who have witnessed their parents’ worst days that change is possible, as they now share in one of their best days.
Tears of joy and relief flowed from the graduates and the family members in the bleachers. To those who do not believe that change is possible, I present to you the names of the graduates of the 2025 class in the Addiction Studies Certificate Program: James Applegate, Amie Beard, Sally Boone, Autumn Coffelt-Murrish, Kelly Goodwin, Michelle Kaufman, Lelanette McCovey, Johnny Machado, Jesse Rodriguez, Heather Schmidt, Therese Scott, Joshua Staples, Juanita Villareal, Christopher Wilson and Ruth Wortman.
These people are incredible human beings. They are already working in the recovery field and/or moving on to Cal Poly Humboldt. I am proud to know them all.
Stuart Altschuler (he/him) is a licensed marriage and family therapist and associate professor in College of the Redwoods’ Addiction Studies Program. He lives in Ferndale.
This article appears in ‘God Looking Back at You’.