Tim Hollis recalled his high school years as painful, watching other students thrive as he struggled with a brain injury that left him with a learning disability and memory issues.

When it came time for graduation, he walked across the stage with his peers but unlike them, he received no diploma.

“My teachers didn’t know how to work with me,” said Hollis, now 43. “They didn’t care; they just passed me through to get rid of me.”

That was many years ago in Alabama, where he grew up. Life was hard then and he doesn’t like to talk about it much. After high school, he worked at a variety of jobs including dishwashing and mowing lawns.

Several years ago he moved to Maine to live with a foster family. He got involved with High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville, which helps people with disabilities. The club helped him get a janitorial job at a local church.

“I like my job a lot,” he said.

Hollis is now fulfilling a dream — and a promise to his late grandfather to graduate from high school. He has attended Mid-Maine Adult Community Education classes for a few years, taking required courses such as English, math and social studies. It has not been easy, as spelling and reading are difficult for him, but he works hard at it.

According to Mid-Maine Director Hannah Bard, Hollis needed an arts credit but the choices were slim except for online classes, so teachers probed him for what he might enjoy.

Hollis said he likes to sing, particularly country and gospel tunes, and had always wanted to learn the guitar but didn’t think he was capable.

“I love music,” he said Wednesday. “It’s my passion, I’ll tell you what. It helps me out. I enjoy it. It helps me to relax.”

Bard contacted Sue Barre, vice president of the board of directors for Elm City Community Music School in Waterville to ask if the school would consider collaborating on a special music program for Hollis. Barre thought it a great idea, and says she hopes such collaborations will continue in the future.

“When Hannah reached out to partner, there was no question that we would work together,” Barre said. “Providing music making opportunities for all is the mission for Elm City Community Music School.”

What happened after Hollis started taking guitar lessons with Nicholas Mather at Elm City was remarkable. Mather describes him as an inspiration”

Hollis started writing songs in his adult ed English class and took more control of his learning in general. Every day, he’d seek out Bard to tell her he practices guitar every day at home until his fingers hurt, and he couldn’t believe his progress after years of people telling him he couldn’t do anything.

“Watching how this experience has changed his attitude toward learning, and his education, has been an incredibly cathartic experience,” Bard said, “especially with so much negativity currently encompassing our lives.”

Knowing he will earn his diploma in May is even more meaningful for Hollis because of the promise he had made to his grandfather, who died a few years ago from cancer.

“I’m graduating this year. I can’t believe I actually kept my promise.”

His grandmother gave Hollis his grandfather’s guitar. In December, he and other musicians performed at Elm City before a packed house.

The best thing he ever did, he said, was enroll in adult education.

“They actually work with me, not against me, and they don’t say, ‘You can’t do this.’ They’re here to support me and make sure I get what I need.”

Bard said watching Hollis blossom has been a joy.

“We’re all very proud of him,” she said.

Amy Calder has been a Morning Sentinel reporter 37 years. Her columns appear here Sundays. She is the author of the book, “Comfort is an Old Barn,” a collection of her curated columns, published in 2023 by Islandport Press. She may be reached at [email protected]. For previous Reporting Aside columns, go to centralmaine.com.