Elijah Johnson loves hats. His collection consists of fitted hats sitting on a shelf above his desk at home.
But the Auburn Riverside senior has one major challenge with wearing his hats.
“I have a hat collection even though I’m unable to wear hats 80% of the time because of my hair,” said Johnson on a recent afternoon pointing to his hair that is more than several inches high.
Senior year is coming to a close and the class of 2024 is entering their adulthood. Johnson, one of many seniors, is creating his pathway. Johnson is hoping to keep his GPA steady for the remaining week, constantly working and trying to stay on top of his assignments.
Though he made it to his last year and last stretch, it was not without struggle and mental fights.
“My biggest challenge as a student is just my procrastination which I still do but have been getting better by just telling myself to not be lazy and just get the stuff I need to do done”.
But Johnson doesn’t let the struggle of school and work get in the way of him having fun outside and inside school. He does many activities throughout his days that keep him entertained and healthy.
“My favorite thing to do in my free time is hangout with my girlfriend or friends. I also like just driving my car. It helps free my mind and I just find it relaxing to do, or play games”.
One hobby Johnson has is mechanical work with cars. He enjoys working around them, whether it’s fixing, modifying, or selling. Last August, Johnson, for the first time, installed a suspension into his car. He stated that it took him a whole week, 10 hours a day. Once he was finally complete, he called it his greatest accomplishment.
As a starting point after he graduates, Johnson plans to work as a salesman throughout the summer in order to save for college.
Though he has his life set and ready, he still remains apprehensive about what the future holds.
“The future is a very scary thing to think about because nothing in your life is guaranteed”.
Johnson said that things can take a turn for the worse at any point and because of that, he brainstorms a plan B and C.
“If college doesn’t work out, I’m going to trade school and be an auto body tech since I’ve always loved cars and working on them and fixing them, and if that doesn’t work out I’m gonna go into the military”.
Despite being nervous for what his future holds, Johnson still holds on strong and pushes forward with the image of his girlfriend in mind.
“My motivation going on is my girlfriend and working to have a good future with her and wanting to have a good job to support a family.”
When it’s time to start college, Johnson plans to live on the Central Washington University campus with his friend. It will be his first time living away from home.
To start off his college career, Johnson wants to take classes for mechanical engineering; he might continue to take music classes and reach for a minor in music.
As his senior year draws to a close, Johnson reflects on his journey at Auburn Riverside, recalling the teachers who helped him succeed.
“The teacher that has inspired me the most, not only during high school, would be my orchestra teacher Mrs. Wharton,” Johnson said of Melinda Wharton. “I’ve had her as a teacher since 5th grade and she’s always been the nicest person and a big inspiration in the time I’ve been her student.”
Johnson also spreads his knowledge and advice, encouraging incoming freshmen to get involved.
“Don’t procrastinate, do your assignments when they first are assigned, join clubs and get involved with other school activities and you’ll have a fun time during high school.”
