Sam Johnson
“[The happiest moment of my life was when] when I did my first dance solo for the first time, it was contemporary and to the French song, “Je te laisserai des mots” [by Patrick Watson]. I performed it last season, so March through May, and got 11th overall in one competition for it. [I also] got platinum and high gold at other competitions. I’ve been competing for six years, but dancing for 13 years. Dance is like therapy to me, I get to express myself, especially with styles like contemporary and hip hop,” – Sam Johnson, 10
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Pronouns: she/her
Grade: 10
Years on staff: 2
What was your favorite childhood TV show? Growing up, I was a huge Disney fan so either Liv and...
![“My first two years of high school I don’t even consider to count. Freshman year I honestly dont even remember [what we learned] and it was cut short. I was virtual my entire sophomore year and took the time to focus on academics, dance, and myself. The pandemic definitely caused me to lose motivation during my sophomore year. It took a lot of effort during my junior year to jump back into staying focused and taking school seriously. Junior year, I met a freshman on poms named Poppi Wright, shes meant so much to me ever since. Were very similar, its weird. We clicked instantly and I just absolutely adore her. Throughout high school, one unforgettable moment for me was joining the yearbook staff. I absolutely adore [journalism teacher Debra Klevens] Klevens and taking her class was the best decision I made. I found a true passion in designing and making yearbook spreads. I got really into it and by my senior year, I was made an editor. I love going to Klevens room after other classes I dont enjoy as much. I’m a student aide for her so I have her every day and I love it. I honestly feel like I had two true years of high school, my junior and senior year. Im most proud that I just survived the journey. I can say I was in high school during a pandemic and still managed to get into college, continued dancing and formed new relationships.” - Kelsea Wilson, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_7240-copy-240x150.jpg)
![“[The happiest moment of my life was] last year when I asked my crush to Homecoming. I asked her on the bus, she said yes, and I got really happy about it. Weve been together well over a year now, but I liked her for a year before even asking her out. [Before] the dance, we went out and had a nice little dinner together, and at the dance we talked, hung out and danced - it was a great night. Looking back, its a blur, but I remember it as a really happy night. We went to Homecoming [again] this year, and Im planning on asking her to prom too.” - Cameron Licata, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0002-240x150.jpg)
![“One of the happiest things I can remember lately is when [I was] at a volleyball tournament. After playing three games, we had busted our butts working to win the point and it was tied at 27. We ended up winning 28-27 and it came down to that last point. Everyone was so happy and really excited in the moment [that] we were able to win the game. Im a middle hitter for Parkway Lightning Volleyball Club, and Ive [been playing] for five years. [My favorite thing about] volleyball is the people Im surrounding myself with, because these people are very uplifting and they push me to be a better version of myself, not only [as] a player but as a human being.” - Gabriella Black, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0001-2-240x150.jpg)
![“[My happiest moment] was in the World Cup final, when Argentina won. I wanted a lot of teams to win at first, like the US, the Netherlands, England and then Argentina. I just got into soccer, but Im [close with] my [older] brother, and some of his friends are from the Netherlands and others are from England, [so I rooted] for those teams, but by the end, I just wanted Messi to win. I [just started] playing soccer, but I play golf too. My grandpa got me into it, and I like playing with my brother because hes not very good. Im hoping to make the JV team this spring for it.” - Maddox Miller, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0005-240x150.jpg)
![“My first two years of high school I don’t even consider to count. Freshman year I honestly dont even remember [what we learned] and it was cut short. I was virtual my entire sophomore year and took the time to focus on academics, dance, and myself. The pandemic definitely caused me to lose motivation during my sophomore year. It took a lot of effort during my junior year to jump back into staying focused and taking school seriously. Junior year, I met a freshman on poms named Poppi Wright, shes meant so much to me ever since. Were very similar, its weird. We clicked instantly and I just absolutely adore her. Throughout high school, one unforgettable moment for me was joining the yearbook staff. I absolutely adore [journalism teacher Debra Klevens] Klevens and taking her class was the best decision I made. I found a true passion in designing and making yearbook spreads. I got really into it and by my senior year, I was made an editor. I love going to Klevens room after other classes I dont enjoy as much. I’m a student aide for her so I have her every day and I love it. I honestly feel like I had two true years of high school, my junior and senior year. Im most proud that I just survived the journey. I can say I was in high school during a pandemic and still managed to get into college, continued dancing and formed new relationships.” - Kelsea Wilson, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_7240-copy-475x341.jpg)
![“[The happiest moment of my life was] last year when I asked my crush to Homecoming. I asked her on the bus, she said yes, and I got really happy about it. Weve been together well over a year now, but I liked her for a year before even asking her out. [Before] the dance, we went out and had a nice little dinner together, and at the dance we talked, hung out and danced - it was a great night. Looking back, its a blur, but I remember it as a really happy night. We went to Homecoming [again] this year, and Im planning on asking her to prom too.” - Cameron Licata, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0002-475x317.jpg)
![“One of the happiest things I can remember lately is when [I was] at a volleyball tournament. After playing three games, we had busted our butts working to win the point and it was tied at 27. We ended up winning 28-27 and it came down to that last point. Everyone was so happy and really excited in the moment [that] we were able to win the game. Im a middle hitter for Parkway Lightning Volleyball Club, and Ive [been playing] for five years. [My favorite thing about] volleyball is the people Im surrounding myself with, because these people are very uplifting and they push me to be a better version of myself, not only [as] a player but as a human being.” - Gabriella Black, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0001-2-475x317.jpg)
![“[My happiest moment] was in the World Cup final, when Argentina won. I wanted a lot of teams to win at first, like the US, the Netherlands, England and then Argentina. I just got into soccer, but Im [close with] my [older] brother, and some of his friends are from the Netherlands and others are from England, [so I rooted] for those teams, but by the end, I just wanted Messi to win. I [just started] playing soccer, but I play golf too. My grandpa got me into it, and I like playing with my brother because hes not very good. Im hoping to make the JV team this spring for it.” - Maddox Miller, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0005-475x317.jpg)
![“The happiest moment of my life was when I realized that my family was accepting who I am. [I am] a transgender woman, and [in that moment,] I felt like I had this fear taken away. [It was] about two years ago, and I remember realizing that my parents were doing everything they could, and while they werent perfect, I finally realized how much effort they were putting in. Its made my home life a lot better, there have been fewer arguments with my family, and I just feel very liberated. My mom [was the most] accepting when I came out. I was worried before because I didnt know how accepting she would be, but shes made appointments to talk to people so I could get help to further who I was and am. On the other hand, my [older] brother sometimes struggles with it because he has a hard time seeing things from my perspective, as hes had a very different life. In general, I think that community support, whether family, friends or teachers, is the best thing anyone can do to help anyone” - Ash Herring, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0007-475x317.jpg)
![“[My favorite vacation] is a camp held by BYU called Aspen Grove in Utah. Its held in the mountains, and I love being up there. I didnt appreciate it before Covid [hit]. My family goes every June, but the most recent time was my favorite because my whole family on my dads side was there, and they live all over the country, so it was nice to see them all in one place. [The best] moment was when we decided to stay up until 11 p.m. doing karaoke. We got shut down by the [counselors] because we were being too loud and it was too late at night, but we got to sing a lot of different, funny songs like Stacys Mom, which was hilarious.” - Rachel Brazier, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/RBrazier-475x356.jpg)
![“I’m proud of my art and where it’s taken me. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do; I surprised myself, [and] I think it could take me places. [Art] means a lot to me. It’s a different way to look at the world. I remember after taking a photography class, I would look outside and be like ‘oh, that would make such a great photo.’ When you become more into art, you look at the world differently and in a more artistic way. Art is different for everyone. Everyone creates their own art and it’s such a cool way to express yourself and in such different ways. And that’s really beautiful. ” - Amy Rein, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/amyreinpeopleofwest-_1_-475x317.jpeg)
![“I like to spend time with my family. My sister, [junior Yena Ahn, inspires me the most]. She just always does the right thing. Even when she’s around her friends, she sticks to her morals. I admire that a lot. I like that I can both learn from her and teach her things. Everything she knows, does and experiences, I am able to know the same through her and vice versa.” - Yein Ahn, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0031-475x316.jpeg)
![“[For me, the happiest times are] when I celebrate holidays with my family. [My favorite is] Christmas, mostly because I got a lot of presents. I remember [my sister and I] used to write letters to Santa, and he would always write back to us. One year, I was very excited to get a bell from Rudolphs sleigh, but [the best present Ive ever received] is a drone that my dad got me. I havent been able to use it because I cant fly it without my dad, and he just never goes out to fly it. Hopefully [we can fly it] this year. On the other end, the best [present I have given was when] I poured a bunch of peanuts into a really big ornament and gave it to my mom [who was] really into peanuts then. This year, Im very excited to see my siblings again. I have five, and most of them are away at college, so its gotten more lonely,” - Declan Ryan, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DRyan-475x317.jpg)
