Full circle
By Jennifer Colton | Argus Observer
Monday, May 21, 2007 10:41 AM PDT
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| Cody Johnson, 17, stands outside New Plymouth High School after ‘checking out’ of his last class Wednesday afternoon. Johnson said he plans to attend the University of Oregon in the fall to become a high school principal — hopefully to return to New Plymouth someday. |
New Plymouth — On his last day at New Plymouth High School, senior Cody Johnson, 17, is already planning his return to those halls in the future.
“I’m excited to go to college. Just the whole experience of going out on your own and not having to rely on other people,” he said, describing his plans to attending the University of Oregon in the fall to study education administration and eventually become a principal or superintendent.
“I just like being a part of education. I’m looking forward to teaching kids, helping kids in the future,” he said.
He said he chose the Eugene school because he visited the college and loved the area — as well as the university’s class offerings.
“They have an awesome education program,” he said. “It’s the third best university in the nation in the college of education, and it’s just the right size for me. Not too small but not huge. The fact that they have good sports teams helps too.” At New Plymouth High School, Johnson has been involved in varsity teams for basketball, football, track and cross country. He competed in the 2A state track competition Friday in the 4x100 and medley relays, after missing the district competition because he was busy at the Business Professionals of America national competition in New York. For BPA, Johnson is part of the financial analysis team, which placed second at the state level.
“We’re given a scenario of businesses and we have to compare them and determine which is the more sound financial investment,” he said of the national contest. “We think we did really good. There’s about 45 teams, and we didn’t make call-backs, which is top 10, but we think we made top 20.”
Back in New Plymouth, Johnson is also Associated Student Body president, National Honor Society vice president, FFA treasurer and the president of BPA.
“I just enjoy it, being involved,” he said. “I can’t not be doing something. It keeps me out of trouble I guess.”
This summer, Johnson plans to work with his uncle, doing painting in Sisters, Ore. In the future, after he earns his degree, Johnson said he will “definitely” return to the Treasure Valley.
“I would really like to come back here (New Plymouth) if that’s a possibility,” he said. “I know that might not work out, but my parents and grandparents are here. This would be my best case. If something just clicks, I enjoy that a lot, being able to be a part of that.”
