A special graduation commencement for only one student: 'A room filled with joy' (2024)

If you met Luke Hansen, he would likely get you by the nose in just a few minutes. It’s his trademark opening line when meeting new people.

“Got your nose!” he tells them.

Eventually he will get into your heart.

“He gets into everyone’s heart,” his teacher, Jill Hunt, said.

On Thursday morning, she co-hosted a very special graduation ceremony —strictly for Hansen — at Porter County’s Special Education Learning Facility, more commonly known as the SELF school, in Valparaiso. The facility serves seven school districts in the county, catering to students ages 3 to 22.

“The whole school is invited for this special event,” Hunt said.

Hansen, who’s 18, has attended morning classes there for four years, followed by afternoon classes at Chesterton High School.

Thursday’s commencement ceremony inside the school’s gymnasium was attended by dozens of fellow students of all ages. Some sat in wheelchairs. Others sat in seats. All of them buzzed with excitement while waiting for Hansen to make his grand entrance.

“It will be a room filled with joy,” Hansen’s mother, Jenny, told me before the ceremony.

She was right.

Her son entered the gym using a walker while sporting a bright blue cap and gown, and a bit of a swagger. As he walked across the floor to his chair in front of everyone, they cheered and applauded. His mother clutched a tissue to wipe away tears as she watched her son soak up all the affection.

Four years ago, there was no guarantee this joyous scene would ever take place. He began attending classes at the SELF school due to erratic behaviors caused by impulse control issues.

Hansen was born with a very rare chromosome disorder called 49,XXXXY. It causes intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and changes in other physical features, among other challenges.

“Boys should have 46 chromosomes. Luke has three extra X chromosomes so it makes him extra special in our eyes,” his mother explained.

Her son has complex medical needs due to his disorder, in addition to autism, ADHD, anxiety and seizures, which require nine different medications each day.

“Our days can be challenging with behaviors, but each day he lives life to the fullest and we smile and laugh every single day. You can’t ask for more,” his mother said.

This was on full display Thursday during his graduation ceremony. Hansen didn’t hesitate to blurt out his thoughts and feelings as speakers honored him. Audience members laughed. His parents beamed from the front row of seats. (Watch a video and view more photos at NWI.com.)

“In the mornings, he starts us off with the Pledge of Alliance, and some mornings he sings to us,” said Jen Rogers, the school’s principal.

Hansen is a diehard fan of the classic rock band The Eagles. He’ll sing “Hotel California” for anyone without much prompting, just the cool wind in his hair.

“Luke, as the Eagles would say, take it to the limit,” Hunt sung to Hansen regarding his life after graduation.

“Hooray for Luke!” she told the audience to say in unison.

Hansen took it all in, waving to the crowd like a rock star at a reunion show.

His childhood was spent playing with matchbox cars, watching trains at Riley’s Railhouse in Chesterton, and chatting with strangers at the town’s popular European market on Saturdays.

“Luke is like the town mayor,” his mother said. “He knows more people in town than I know. He meets someone and knows them forever.”

Guests at his ceremony included some of his therapists, one of his doctors, a school bus driver, an aide and Hunt, his teacher who’s retiring in the coming days after 29 years in the field. The event was visibly bittersweet for Hunt.

“Luke has blossomed here. I’m proud to end my career with him,” she said.

Jenny Hansen thanked Hunt for caring for her son these past four years.

“Jill is one of the people in Luke’s life who helps him succeed and achieve his goals in life,” she said. “She is the best teacher. She makes every person she meets the most important person in the room.”

On Thursday, the most important person in the room was Luke Hansen and he felt it. Outside the school, a sign boasted his name as a graduate. Inside, he enjoyed the moment, something he probably does better than most people.

In many ways, he’s like any 18-year-old high school graduate. He loves to tell jokes, drink vanilla milkshakes, listen to country music, and hopes to someday work at Bass Pro Shops. His future plans are to possibly attend a program at Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso, or find a job coach to help him land a career position.

“We’re still exploring all these options,” his mother said.

For now, her son basked in the glow of being a graduate, just like millions of other grads across the country this month. And just like those other grads, his graduation party will take place next month. Where else? Riley’s Railhouse, where his mother’s hopes for her son have never been derailed.

“He’s the best son you could ask for,” she said.