By Ken Hansard
Recently, VYPE had the privilege to talk to and to find out more about Salina Central athlete Donovan Johnson.
VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?
Johnson: My personal goal for this year – just like every other year – is to grow as a person and as an athlete. I strive to be my best self every day and improve in any way I can.
VYPE: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?
Johnson: The most fun I’ve had in the last year was waking up at 5 a.m. to lift with my friends. Our football program has summer lifting, and this will be our last year.
VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?
Johnson: My favorite teacher from any grade is Mr. Holmquist. He pushes me in every aspect of my life and believes in me, no matter what. He has had a significant impact on my last four years in high school.
VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?
Johnson: My favorite athletic memory is beating Andover High School by 1 point. Before the game our head coach’s father had passed away. This game meant a lot to him and also meant an immense amount to us. We took the field understanding this game meant something more, and through the trials and tribulations, we won the game off of a trick play.
VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Johnson: The teammate that’s left the biggest impression on me has to be Carter Weber. I’ve been playing football with Carter since 6th grade. He was never the best on the team, but he has always had this love for the game that makes you want to smile and appreciate each snap of the football.
VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Johnson: My favorite part of being on this team is the overwhelming dedication our coaching staff has to seeing us improve, not just as athletes, but also as men.
VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?
Johnson: For a summer vacation, I would go to Hawaii. I would take my parents and two brothers.
VYPE: If we gave you $5000 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?
Johnson: If given $5000, I would try to spend as much of it on my mom as I could. She has done so much to support me. Not only parenting me, but also paying for everything during my athletic career. She does so much to see my success, and I want to give back to her.
VYPE: What other sports, activities, or community service projects do you participate in, and how have these helped to prepare you for the future?
Johnson: Other than sports, I also participate in the Big Brothers / Big Sisters program, in theater, and in choir. Being a part of all these things allows me to avoid constraining myself to being one thing. Participating, in all of these activities also gives me the opportunity to be friends with all different kinds of people.
