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FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Aleeyah Johnson, Greencastle
Aleeyah is a senior at Greencastle and participates in two sports, soccer and basketball.
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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?
Aleeyah Johnson: “I’ve learned a lot, definitely teamwork, communication, commitment, hard work and dedication. I’ve learned a lot from my coaches and from fellow athletes that I’ve gotten the chance to play with.”
BG: Talk about your sports.
AJ: “In basketball, I play a little bit of a guard position and have played since fourth grade. In soccer, I play an defensive and attacking mid. I’ve played since I was seven and it’s my favorite sport. I’ve committed to playing soccer in college but love both of my teams.”
BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?
AJ: “There was a game where a girl pulled my hair in soccer and I did a complete backbend.”
BG: What does your game day routine look like?
AJ: “I try to go to bed early the night before; I’m not the best at it but I do try. In the morning, I get a good breakfast and try to stay locked in early on, trying not to get distracted. I’m not a superstitious person, so I don’t have any thing I do before a match.”
BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?
AJ: “Not really.”
BG: As a member of the soccer team, you’ve been a key piece in the team for a few seasons now. Going into the current girls’ basketball season, you had been a role player as a junior but were expected to be a much larger contributor this year. How has it worked out becoming a key member in a second sport after being an important part of a different sport?
AJ: “With soccer, I always felt like a key asset and had built up a lot of confidence where I had zero when it came to basketball. This year has been different with a different role, knowing that I have to show up and play every game. There’s more pressure but this year has also been more enjoyable for me. The games have been more enjoyable and I feel closer with the team this year.”
BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?
AJ: “I’ve done some coaching and refereeing in soccer. I used to participate in 4-H but stopped doing that a while ago.”
BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?
AJ: “I like to play guitar, read and write.”
BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?
AJ: “I like watching ‘Gilmore Girls.’ I like fantasy and romance novels and like ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ even if it is a little cliché.”
BG: Are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?
AJ: “I’d probably get on my phone out of habit. If I didn’t have plans after that, I’d binge a show and hang out with my sisters.”
BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?
AJ: “I’d like to travel to Europe. It’s definitely a dream of mine. I’d also like to learn another language.”
BG: What is your biggest fear?
AJ: “Spiders.”
BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?
AJ: “This is bad but I’d probably cook ramen noodles over the stove. If I had to, I’d make spaghetti.”
BG: Do you have any pets?
AJ: “I have two beagles, Bo and Belle.”
BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?
AJ: “I have a box of keepsakes from sports, filled with photos and memories, along with a scrapbook, that’d I’d get.”
BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?
AJ: “I’d definitely take that Europe trip, going to some place like Paris.”
BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?
AJ: “Introverted. I’m definitely more reserved unless you know me. If I’m a teammate, I never shut up but meeting someone on the street, I wouldn’t say anything.”
BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?
AJ: “I went to Destin, Fla. and it was gorgeous.”
BG: What was your favorite school field trip?
AJ: “Probably the art museum in Indianapolis at Newfields.”
BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?
AJ: “Definitely important. My parents have both been very involved in my sports and I’ve gotten to play sports with my sisters. My dad has coached me growing up and they’re at every game. The same goes with friends. Even if they’re in a different sport, they come out to support those in other sports.”
BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.
AJ: “I only take one class at Greencastle; the rest are online through homeschool. When I’m here, it’s a great environment. I have a lot of friends here, both on teams and in the classroom. Academically, since I don’t have many classes here, I don’t know many of the teachers. I didn’t start coming to Greencastle until seventh grade but was able to play sports with the arrangement we have. It’s been a great experience.”
BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?
AJ: “We have band and choir but I’d like to take a music theory class.”
BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?
AJ: “I will be attending St. Mary-of-the-Woods to play soccer and want to be a teacher, elementary specifically, so I will be looking to major in early childhood or elementary education.”
BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?
AJ: “Definitely. You come from school, go to practice and at home, there’s work, so if you don’t keep on it, it adds up. As long as you make it a priority to do your work after practice instead of crashing on the floor, it works out.”
BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?
AJ: “I really liked my creative writing class with Mrs. Burkhalter. Writing is a passion of mine and I grew in my writing skills while also being more creative in that class.”
BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?
AJ: “Definitely a suburban or small town. Growing up in Greencastle, I like the way everyone knows everyone, the small shops, the owners and the close-knit community. I definitely enjoy that.”
BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?
AJ: “If I would have been asked this question even last year, I would have said it was going by so slow but now that it’s finally senior year, it’s all catching up to me and I’m not ready to graduate. It’s going faster now that it’s my senior year.”