Keeli Johnson Sets Sail on a Semester at Sea
Photo by Jamie Plain
Keeli Johnson, a 2024 Daviess County graduate, has accomplished quite a lot in her 18 years. When she finished her high school career in May, she had already earned her associates degree and maintained a 3.85 GPA.
While she has always been very involved in the community from competing in local pageants to completing service projects, her latest adventure will take her far from home.
“This fall, instead of a traditional university for her first semester, she has been given the opportunity to do something really cool. She will study abroad on a cruise ship visiting 10 countries and three continents,” Keeli’s mom, Rachelle Stone, said.
The program, Semester at Sea, is offered through Colorado State University. Her 105-day journey aboard the ship will embark from Amsterdam on September 9. She will disembark on December 22 in Thailand.
This experience will be different from a traditional cruise that vacationers may be accustomed to.
“There will be limited internet, and she will have daily chores to complete such as hand-washing clothes, as well as maintaining a full-time college course load. She has been accepted and is ready to see the world this fall living life as we did before social media,” Rachelle said.
While Keeli’s mom is proud of many of her achievements, including their partnership in Dancing With Our Stars Owensboro benefitting Boulware Mission, where Keeli was the youngest participant at just 17, her decision to pursue college in a non-traditional way and explore the world certainly ranks among the top.
“She and I took the stage together as the first-ever mother-daughter duo, where we raised $20,000 for Boulware Mission. Keeli worked tireless hours helping fundraise! Not many 17-year-olds would want to spend their summer doing that, but Keeli did,” Rachelle said.
Johnson’s interest in Semester at Sea developed when she came across a video online highlighting the opportunity. She began to research more about the experience and knew this would be something she would enjoy.
“Honestly, this kid has done it all! She works at Orange Theory, did school full time, and cheered full time. All of this while doing amazing in school and volunteering around the community,” Rachelle said. “When she came to me about this opportunity, I could tell she was excited.”
While most of her classmates are preparing to start new jobs or attend a university in the fall, Johnson will be packing her bags to travel around the world seeing places that many have on their bucket lists.
“School is really hard on me to begin with,” Keeli said. “This will be different from paper and pen tests. What I’ve heard from videos is that your schoolwork aligns with the countries you’re going to — we will be focused on different things than a traditional school.”
Some of those countries that Keeli will visit include places like Portugal, Morocco, South Africa, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
“We have certain days while we are in each country and we have to wake up and go to a field class that aligns with the place we visit. We will spend a few days in each country,” Keeli said.
When asked about which geographic location she is most excited to see, Johnson said South Africa.
“I want to go to the animal sanctuary. The big five—African lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and Cape Buffalo are the main animals on many people’s bucket list,” Keeli said.
To prepare for the trip, students must complete a full medical and mental evaluation, secure a passport and visa as well as get their Yellow Fever vaccine.
While the trip is costly and will span the course of four months, Keeli believes it will be worth it.
“I didn’t want to go to college and waste my money on something I didn’t want to do — I already had my associates. I am looking to find some solid people that I can form friendships with,” Keeli said.
As far as future goals, Johnson hopes to do something in the dietician or nutrition field one day.
“I’m a really picky eater, but I love to cook,” Keeli said. “I know the effects nourishing foods can play on your body.”
She will get the opportunity to try dishes from around the world and learn about cultures and local traditions with each stop on their itinerary.
“People don’t realize what the world has to offer,” Keeli said. “We are in a small place in Kentucky. How could you not want to see what the world has to offer?”
