NATALIE JOHNSON: WHO IS SHE? AND WHERE IS SHE NOW?

 A Rising Star in our Midst

     Natalie Johnson is probably unknown to most of the readers but, in reality she is a person worthy of admiration by all of Northern Ohio.  Natalie is only 24 years old, but the accomplishments of her young life are already quite amazing.
     Natalie was raised for most of her childhood in a single-parent household.  She is not the product of a wealthy home but, nonetheless, has accomplished more than many more-privledged young men and women.  She  is a graduate of Admiral King High School, where she maintained an excellent grade-point average.  Her high grades were rewarded when she was the recipient of a scholarship from the Bausch & Lomb Corporation (the contact lens producers headquartered in Rochester, New York).  Her scholarship made it possible for her to attend the University of Rochester, the school from which she received her Bachelors Degree in 2008.
     After graduation, in an effort to "give back" to her world, Natalie traveled to South Korea, where she taught English as a Second Language.  In an effort to do even more, she also went to Haiti, where she assisted in the Relief Effort.
     More recently, she again showed her "true colors" by applying for the Peace Corps.  She was accepted into that wonderful institution which had its beginnings way back in the days of JFK's presidency, when Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."  In early June of this year, Natalie was given her assignment, and headed for Shaamar, Selenge, Mongolia, where she has contracted to serve as an English Teacher for the next two years.

     When our young people look for role models in these difficult times, they need look no further than to a young woman from Admiral King who, at 24, has only just begun to show Ohio--and the world--what just one person can accomplish for herself, and for her fellowman.