Project Strive/TRiO names January Student of the Month
Annie Johnson, a sophomore from Martin, South Dakota, has been named the Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for January.
The elementary education major said she chose Chadron State College based on the small, personal campus.
She discovered that she was well-suited to be a teacher through assessments and years of experience helping younger children with the 4-H livestock projects. Her parents raise Black Angus on their ranch near Tuthill east of Martin.
“I had a lot of good teachers growing up. My mom is a math teacher, my dad is a school board member and there are a few other teachers in our family,” Johnson said.
She thoroughly enjoys the education program at CSC and plans to return home this summer where she will continue her volunteer work with 4-H children as they prepare to show livestock entries in the Bennett County Fair.
Project Strive/TRiO Director Jen Schaer said Johnson has a great attitude and is an excellent student.
“Annie is an excellent student and has a great attitude. She participates in many Strive activities and enjoys being with friends and meeting new people. It is an honor and a joy to have her be a part of Project Strive,” Schaer said.
Johnson said Project Strive/TRiO workshops on resume building and other topics have helped her meet new people.
“It’s done a lot for me. It helped me get over my shyness. I especially enjoyed the ropes course in Scottsbluff my freshman year. That was a memorable opportunity for teambuilding with people I didn’t know even before I applied and was accepted into the program,” she said.
Johnson's adviser, Lisa Curtis, assists her with planning class schedules and stress related to college.
In addition to participating in Project Strive/TRiO, in September 2014 Johnson was elected to a one-year term as Student Senator representing the school of School of Education, Human Performance, Counseling, Psychology and Social Work.
“I knew some students on Senate and I was interested in the government part of it and getting involved,” she said.
She has learned leadership skills by observing other senators, and has enjoyed the challenge of gathering information prior to voting. She said she plans to run for office again next year.
Johnson also participates in the Chadron State College Republicans Club and serves as the Newman House reprehensive on the Campus Activity Board.
—Tena L. Cook, Marketing Coordinator
Category: Campus News