Schools

Deshon Johnson Receives Posthumous Degree

Montclair resident was a student at Essex County College when he was struck and killed by a bus.

Deshon Johnson of Montclair was less than a year from receiving an associate’s degree when at the age of 22 he was struck and killed by a bus in Bloomfield last July.

Johnson, a singer, rapper, artist writer and entrepreneur, was honored earlier this month when Essex County College awarded him a posthumous certificate/degree in good academic standing in Business Administration Finance. It was the first time the school awarded a posthumous degree, according to the Dean of Students.

Johnson’s name was also read last Wednesday along with the more than 1,400 members of Essex County College’s Class of 2013.

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His best friend James Little spoke during the ceremony when Johnson was awarded a posthumous degree. Little wore a t-shirt with Johnson’s picture on it at the commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Another honor will come next month when, on June 6, Montclair High School will present the first Deshon Johnson Memorial Scholarship.

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Johnson graduated from Montclair High School in 2008. He was in the honor society and on the wrestling team. 

Make a contribution to the Deshon Johnson Memorial Scholarship.


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