Valedictorian Kendall Johnson speaks during NRHEG's 2021 graduation ceremony
By Melanie Piltingsrud
Staff Writer
Kendall Johnson, the daughter of Chad and Rochelle Johnson of Ellendale, graduates as the 2021 Valedictorian at NRHEG High School.
Johnson has had a packed schedule at NRHEG, which included volleyball, basketball, Student Council, National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, as well Yearbook, Prom and Homecoming Committees. During non-school hours, she helped on the family farm, worked at Applebee's in Owatonna, and attended youth group and confirmation at her church.
With her sights set on Valedictorian ever since sixth grade, Johnson says she feels proud and accomplished to have achieved her goal. Two of the things that helped in her achievement were her family, including siblings AJ, Jace, Brixton and Aubri, who believed in her and knew she could do it; and never being afraid to ask for help when she needed it.
Johnson's favorite subjects in high school were Spanish, math, and history, especially advance placement European history. Her least favorite was English.
Johnson has a whole list of favorite teachers, including Susan Schaub, “Because she was so caring and kind,” Theresa Buendorf, “for her fun history puns,” and Mark Domeier. “But,” says Johnson, “I enjoyed all my teachers.”
Johnson plans to attend Georgetown University with an undecided major. She's looking forward to seeing what opportunities are out there beyond NRHEG, but she says she'll miss her classmates at NRHEG, and all the memories they made together. One of her favorite memories is coming back to school four days a week, finally getting to spend time with her classmates.
If she could give her freshman self any advice, she would say, “Life is about balance. Remember to have fun.”
Johnson isn't sure where she'll be in 10 years, “But hopefully successful and happy,” she says.
“Thank you, NRHEG, for everything,” says Johnson.