Kevin Willmott received a standing ovation Monday evening from a USD 475 audience at the Courtyard by Marriott convention center in Junction City.

Willmott served as the keynote speaker for the Celebration of Teaching banquet.

It was quite a return home for the former Junction City High School student who was expelled from the school during his teen years, but is now a full professor at the University of Kansas and a prominent film writer, director and producer.

Kevin went on to graduate from St. Xavier High School in 1976 and he holds a Bachelor’s degree from Marymount College in Salina, and a Master of Fine Arts from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

During his remarks Monday evening Willmott referred to the diversity in Junction City, the positive impact, and experiences with former teachers such as Pat Anderson at Junction City High School, and the help he received from Father Frank Coady at St. Xavier.

He told the story about being asked by a member of the Adult Education Department to teach a class at the University of Kansas. As it turns that person was the son of the man who was principal at the time that Kevin was expelled from Junction City High School. “So the man who kind of laughed in my face, made fun of me when they kicked me out. I remember walking home, we went to the school to ask if they would let me back into the school and they said no.” Willmott said 40 years later the son of that principal was sitting in front of him. “I had the opportunity to just lay him out but I didn’t do it, because he wasn’t guilty of the crime. And in the long run success is always the best revenge.”  Those comments brought a standing ovation from the large audience at the convention center.

Then in a surprise move Willmott was presented with a Junction City High School diploma. It was an emotional moment for Kevin when he opened the package and saw it was a JCHS diploma. “I have to tell you this is the best thing I have ever received in my entire life. Thank you so much.”

Willmott has produced films such as C.S.A. The Confederate States of America, Jayhawkers, Ninth Street, and his most recent release Chi-Raq, which he has screenwritten with Spike Lee who also directs the movie.