LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Cloverport Independent School senior who's waiting for a new heart at Norton Children's Hospital got to celebrate an important milestone.
18-year-old Landen Lester has been at Norton Children's for around three months. With his heart condition, he can't attend his actual high school graduation. Instead, the school and Norton Children's brought graduation to him.
"There's a bunch of mixed emotions going on at the same time, a little bit of sadness that I won't get to see my teachers again, but at the same time I'm ready to go on to college," Lester said.
His next step is Murray State University, where he plans to study electrical engineering.
"I've always liked tinkering with objects and taking things apart and putting them back together, seeing how they work," Lester said.
Lester has been going to Cloverport Independent School since kindergarten. Staff members say he holds a special place in their hearts, which is why they wanted to create this special moment.
"We have watched him grow up in every way, he's very much part of our family and we couldn't not include him," said Alicia Emmick, Cloverport's college and career readiness coach.
Lester said the nurses at Norton Children's have been extremely kind to him and always help him when he needs it.
For Lester, the day was memorable, but he still doesn't know when a new heart will come. For him, it's one day at a time while focusing on the future.
"I'm excited to actually finally leave this place. As I said, it's been good so far, but at the same time I'm ready to leave and get out of here," Lester said.
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