This week’s featured Andes Central Senior is Claire Johnson. Claire is the daughter of Brian and Katherine Johnson. She has four siblings Alex Evans, Joey Evans, Baylee Johnson and AJ Johnson. During her high school years, Claire has been involved in volleyball, basketball, track, FCCLA and All-State Choir. Claire has been very active in the community. For community service, she has been a CCD youth group teacher for the 4th and 5th graders, filled sandbags for Lake Andes during the flood, mentored elementary students, and has helped load cars for Feeding South Dakota. Thanksgiving dinner is Claire’s favorite school lunch and her favorite teacher is Mrs. Maynard. Mrs. Maynard teaches anatomy and Claire really enjoyed the class because Mrs. Maynard always kept it exciting and interesting with all of the fun classroom activities.

Claire has some sound advice for Andes Central underclassmen. It is okay to change your mind, make mistakes and take breaks. Everything will be okay in the end, and if not, then you have not reached the end yet. Enjoy your four years of high school; it goes by way quicker than you think. While doing so, prove others wrong, and do not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself because you do not know what you are capable of. You are only here at Andes Central for a short time so make the most of it.

Claire’s favorite high school memory was when Cole bet Emery, Carlin and her money if they would not talk in Mr. Halverson’s math class and of course it was the day of the math review before a big test. Mr. Halverson was getting very frustrated and did not understand why the three of them were not talking, but the three of them could not tell him why they were not speaking. Carlin, Emery and she won the bet. Unfortunately, they never received the money. Claire’s going to miss being together with her classmates and the laughs they shared. She will also miss the teachers at school that she has a bond with.

When she is not in school or playing sports, Claire enjoys reading, watching movies and hanging out with her friends and family. After graduation, Claire plans to attend college for nursing. In ten years, Claire sees herself having a career and living life to the fullest. The most influential person in her life is her mom. Her mom, Katherine, always puts other people before herself. If Claire could meet anyone living or deceased, she would want to meet her Grandpa Neal. She was never able to meet him, but has always heard wonderful stories about him.

Enjoy your last year of high school and best of luck in your future endeavors!