FACES: Going for it
Steffani Johnston believes in seizing the day — and the morning, evening, too. The Larimore High School senior puts in at least 12 hours a day pursuing academic, athletic and fine art endeavors. An honor student, Johnston also is a five-year letter winner in cross-country and track and an accomplished musician who plays saxophone and piano and sings.By: Ann Bailey, Grand Forks Herald
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LARIMORE, N.D. — Steffani Johnston believes in seizing the day — and the morning, evening, too.
The Larimore High School senior puts in at least 12 hours a day pursuing academic, athletic and fine art endeavors. An honor student, Johnston also is a five-year letter winner in cross-country and track and an accomplished musician who plays saxophone and piano and sings.
Well-rounded
Whether it’s sports, school work or music, Johnston works hard to excel, said David Wheeler, Larimore High School principal.
Johnston credits her parents, Tom and Jerri Johnston, with encouraging her, from the time she was a young girl, to set her sights high and not to put limits on what she can achieve.
“They just want me never to close any doors,” she said. When she has expressed to them an interest in getting involved in yet another extra-curricular activity, they tell her to weigh the pros and cons and if she believes she has the time to do it, then she should “go for it,” she said.
For example, her parents encouraged her to audition for the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series, which will be held this month in Carnegie Hall. Johnston was accepted after a review by the selection board committee and will be part of the Honors Choir as an Alto 1. Johnston joins a select group of other musicians from across the United States and Canada to perform and to learn from well-known choral conductor, Dr. Eph Ehly, according to an Honors Performance Series news release.
Music lover
Johnston began singing in choir as an eighth-grader. A decade before that, she learned to play piano.
“I began playing piano when I was 4 years old… I watched my mom play piano and I asked her if I could play.” She took lessons from her mother for one year, and then began taking them from a teacher in Grand Forks. In fifth grade, Johnson began learning to play the saxophone.
Johnston doesn’t have a favorite when it comes to playing or singing.
“I like them all for different reasons. I like piano because it is something I can do any time. I like saxophone because I like ensembles. I like singing because I can do it by myself or with someone else.”
About a year ago, Johnston and some friends she met at International Music Camp in Bottineau, N.D., during the summer of 2009 formed a band. She and the other three members — all runners — call the band Running on Empty. Members sing “pop punk” songs. She compares the music her band performs to the music of Blink 182 or Panic! At The Disco.
Five of Running on Empty’s songs are on i-Tunes and six are on its recently released CD called “Don’t be Shy,” Johnston said.
Johnston practices for the Honors Performance Series performance and for her band after school.
“I have a piano in my room… I go home and play the piano part for the music and I sing along with it.”
She also arrives at school at 7 a.m. each day for Zero Hour Choir. During Zero Hour Choir she practices singing with other Larimore High School students, who, like her, are unable to fit choir in to their schedules during the day.
Other interests
Although Johnston spends a lot of her time on music, it isn’t her only interest.
Being physically fit is important to her, so she runs and lifts weights after school on the days she’s not working at her part-time job waitressing and cooking at The Scoop, a Larimore café. She also leads student council meetings, and helps Wheeler with charitable projects.
Her parents, who are involved in church and community organizations, have encouraged her to have diverse interests, Johnston said.
“They’ve taught me about being well-rounded and focusing on music and athletics and school.”
She wouldn’t have it any other way and believes that it has expanded her horizons.
“By being involved, I’ve really been able to grow as a person.”
Johnston is a person, who not only is talented at sports, music and academics, but also knows how to relate to a wide variety of students at all high school grade levels, Wheeler said.
“Absolutely, well-liked… She truly engages with kids of all ages,” he said.
Reach Bailey at (701) 787-6753; (800) 477-6572, ext. 753; or send e-mail to abailey@gfherald.com.
