She’s smart. She’s generous. She’s athletic.

She is Kelly Johnson.

Junior Kelly Johnson has a lot going for her. She is academically successful year after year as she is enrolled in many Advanced Placement classes. She is in National Honors society and is a Student Ambassador. Also, Johnson is on the varsity basketball team, ever since she made it her freshman year.

Grades and athletics are important, but Johnson values one thing above the rest: her relationship with her mom.

“The most important person in my life is definitely my mom. She knows the most about me and is the one person who has never disappointed me when I needed them. I always go to my mom when I’m stressed out and she always knows what to say,” Johnson said. “She also buys me Starbucks.”

Moms are amazing people. They look out for you, they care for you, and they make you feel like the most important person in the world. Johnson is very grateful of this.

This year, Johnson has been a part of a very successful basketball team. They are just coming off a North Suburban Conference Championship win over class 4A powerhouse, Stevenson.

Johnson said, “Basketball has taught me that nothing is impossible, and life can always be better if you are willing to put the work in.”

Johnson’s friend, junior Madalyn Murillo sees this in Johnson as well. Murillo said, “When she wants to focus on one thing, she goes for it. She is very determined.”

Whether it is a tough opponent on the basketball court, or a big test coming up, Johnson never gives up.

Basketball and Johnson’s mom both have a huge impact on her and how she became the great leader she is.

According to Murillo, Johnson is a great leader and a great student. She said, “Kelly is a really good student. She is so respectful to her teachers and sets a great example for others to follow.”

“I try to stay positive as much as possible, and I’m really good at being supportive. I always think before I speak especially before or during a game when I know my teammates need to hear something to lift them up,” Johnson said. “I think I have really good energy and a lot of people feed off of that. I’d like to say that I am a person who leads by example.”

Leading and loving are two very different things that Johnson excels in. She looks out for others and continues to be the perfect example.

Johnson is spectacular at everything she does.

She’s amazing. She’s talented. She’s sincere.

She is one of a kind.