Jeremy Johnson was always great at math and loved solving problems. He thought he would become an engineer.
Finding His Voice
But the summer before his senior year at University High in Baton Rouge, Johnson attended Boys State and met young men his age who spoke confidently in front of crowds.
Johnson had a stutter, and speaking publicly was his biggest fear. Inspired by one of the speakers, he decided to face his challenge. He began writing poetry, performing spoken word, and putting himself out there.
Stuttering had once defined him, but today, anyone meeting him would never know.
A Turning Point
During a senior-year assembly at University High, Johnson performed a poem in front of the entire school. Although he felt dizzy and nervous, he made it through — earning a standing ovation.
“That was a really big steppingstone,” he said.
After this experience, Johnson realized he wanted to become a lawyer, using his voice as a mouthpiece for others.
Academic Journey
In 2006, his classmates at University Laboratory School voted him Most Likely to Succeed. Johnson went on to study at Stanford University for undergrad and then Penn Law.
He worked for several years in El Paso, Texas, with the District Attorney’s Office before returning to Baton Rouge, where he now serves as an assistant United States attorney in the Middle District of Louisiana.
Family and Early Influences
Johnson grew up in Port Allen and attended University High from kindergarten through 12th grade. His path was shaped by supportive family members:
- His mother, who worked at LSU, encouraged him with the philosophy: “Just do the best you can, and your best is enough.”
- His sister, 12 years older and now a Ph.D. at LSU, guided him through grades, college applications, and standardized tests.
- His grandfather, who owned a roofing business and raised eight children, taught him the value of hard work.
Expanding Horizons
The International Baccalaureate program at U High prepared him for Stanford, exposing him to diverse people and ideas. A winter quarter at Oxford University further broadened his perspective.
He studied World War II from a British viewpoint, visited bombed sites, completed a Dickens tutorial, and experienced life in a new environment — even making his first snowman.
At Stanford, Johnson majored in political science, focusing on political philosophy — a thread that started with his Theory of Knowledge class at University High.
Growth and Empathy
Living in California, Philadelphia, El Paso, and England taught him empathy. He learned to understand others’ perspectives, thinking about what matters to them and what they need.
His definition of success is simple: Make the most of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Give your all, even when the outcome is uncertain.
“Things might not go the way you want them to,” he said. “But if you commit yourself and give it your all, you can be proud and happy with that.”
