Skaggs receives honorary diploma at LCHS

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — Graduation is just around the corner for many high school seniors, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs, a Lawrence County native, wanted to let everyone know that he, too, had finally received his high school diploma — nearly 50 years after leaving high school.

“When we were putting together last year’s graduation program, Mr. Skaggs was one of the musicians that we asked to sing or to speak to the Class of 2020,” Lawrence County School Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher said. “During the conversations, we were told that he had never graduated, and he lacked only an English credit. With all of his work in writing country and bluegrass songs, it was evident that he deserved a high school diploma. He was very humble in receiving the diploma, stating that it was an answered prayer for his mother.

“On behalf of the Lawrence County Board of Education, we congratulate our very own Ricky Lee Skaggs.”

On June 1, 2020, Lawrence County High School bestowed upon him an honorary high school diploma for all of his work in music. The surprise presentation happened as Skaggs, along with fellow Lawrence County natives and singer-songwriters Larry Cordle, Tyler Childers and others, participated in a virtual high school graduation ceremony for the 2020 graduating class, according to a release issued by Skaggs from Fox News.

“Last year’s graduation program included songs from the Laid Back Country Picker (David Prince); Teresa Prince; Kelsie May-Schlatzline; Adam Chaffins; and Larry Cordle,” Fletcher said. “Ricky Skaggs and Tyler Childers also provided words of encouragement to the Class of 2020.”

Fletcher presented Skaggs with the honor.

Skaggs would have graduated high school in 1971, but in lieu of receiving his diploma, he chose to hit the tour trail with Dr. Ralph Stanley, a decision that paid off. But Skaggs said he always yearned to graduate high school, as it was one of his mother’s greatest desires, the release said.

“It was an amazing surprise and answered prayer of my mom,” Skaggs said in the release. “She wanted me to graduate before I went full time with Ralph Stanley on the road. I was about as proud of that as anything I’ve been given.”