Senior Spotlight: Aaron Johnson

To some Upper School students, senior Aaron Johnson is an elite athlete. To others, he’s a masterful musician. And to still others, he’s a dynamic student government leader, friend or classmate. rough his multiple roles across campus, AJ–as Johnson is widely known–has built a record of excellence and achievement while earning the respect and admiration of peers.

His resume is a testament to his abilities, work ethic and discipline: a two-sport varsity athlete, earning letters in football and track; principal cellist in the Greenhill Chamber Orchestra; student body vice president and president of the Black Student Union.

“Aaron is a great leader,” said senior Jaden Watt, a football teammate and friend, summing up Johnson’s achievements in a text message. “When I rst came to Greenhill, it was clear that Aaron operated out of love for his community. He leads with poise and puts others before himself consistently.”

Watt continued, “He is also one of the funniest people I know. We always had a good time on the football eld. From the rst game until [the last game of the season], Aaron always fought hard and had a smile on his face.”

In his freshman year at Greenhill, Johnson joined the track team so he could build on his football skills. He enjoyed the process of perfecting his technique and developing his speed.

“In track, there are a lot of things that you can do yourself to get better on your own time,” Johnson said. “ at individual element to track is what made me attracted to the sport, because the burden was on me to continue to improve.”

A er this initial attraction, the familylike environment of track made it hard to quit, said Johnson.

“ e atmosphere of the track team is so friendly and tight-knit,” Johnson said. “People are always encouraging others and pushing them to do their best.”

Aaron Johnson said.

Stacey Johnson said that the recovery process was time-intensive, but Aaron’s dedication and meticulous work contributed greatly to his healing.

Aaron Johnson will be a captain for the track team this spring, allowing him to mentor younger teammates.

“AJ is de nitely one of our top sprinters,” said Stacey Johnson. “We are hopeful this year that he grows equally as much as he grew last year, and that he runs some exciting times this year as well.”

Aaron Johnson rst developed his passion for football as a child, and it continues to this day.

“I have always loved watching and playing football from a young age,” he said. “Even in Lower School, I was on the agfootball team before progressing to tackle football in Middle School. I love football because of the big team atmosphere and environment that it involves.”

Johnson, who is also the football team’s defensive coordinator, said that from Aaron Johnson’s rst season he has worked hard and smart to accomplish his goals. ose attributes have set him apart from the others on the track team, said Stacey Johnson, who is not related to Aaron.

“AJ is a very versatile sprinter,” said Stacey Johnson. “He can run most races, whether it be the 100- [meter dash], the 200 or the 400. He was also a huge part of our school record-breaking 4x100 relay team. He ran the leado leg and really got us going.”

Last season, Aaron Johnson’s achievements included coming in 10th place in the 100-meter dash and being part of the 4x400 team that placed ninth in the Southwest Preparatory Conference Championship Meet.

Despite his successes, Aaron Johnson has faced challenges throughout his track career, including multiple hamstring injuries.

“To work back from the hamstring injury, I’ve had to do a lot of rehabilitation and strengthening workouts for it to heal,”

Aaron Johnson said he appreciates the emphasis that football places on the team aspect of the sport because everyone is supportive and looks to support teammates. Developing those bonds have always made football more meaningful, he said.

“AJ is by far one of our most talented players,” Stacey Johnson said. “When he’s healthy, he can cover just about anybody out there on defense. On o ense, he’s explosive – when he gets the ball, he can do extraordinary things that not everyone else can do.”

Aaron Johnson’s drive on the football eld led to him receiving SPC AllConference honors last season.

“A lot of it was going to the morning workouts and also attending the summer workouts to be prepared for the football season,” Aaron Johnson said. “ at way, I was able to translate all the work I put in during the o season into results during the season.”

Johnson also holds numerous leadership positions across campus, including student body vice president, president of the Black Student Union, member of the Student Inclusion Council and the president of the Smarter Bites club.

“Aaron has had a great impact on the Greenhill community in a very positive way,” said Associate Director of Equity and Inclusion Monsie Muñoz ’05. “He brings a good balance of respecting everyone’s lived experiences while also pushing our community to always strive to be better by asking questions, being involved and looking to make positive change.”

Among numerous achievements, his contributions to the Student Inclusion Council’s speaker series initiative have been especially important, Muñoz said.

“He shares his point of view with the group and works well with other members of the Council,” Muñoz said. “I think his opinion is respected because the other members in the council and in the larger Greenhill community know his dedication to creating an inclusive environment.”

Johnson said he is trying to bring people together to build a sense of community within the Black student population at Greenhill.

“I feel that there is a lot more that could be done for Black students here,” said Johnson, “Even in the BSU space, I can see that the Black community at Greenhill isn’t as strong as it used to be, and I am trying to change that.” ese feelings inspired him to become president of the Black Student Union, with the aim of rebuilding the Black community at Greenhill, he said.

Johnson speaks bluntly about his belief that the lack of a strong support structure has resulted in some Black students feeling overlooked or ignored at Greenhill.

“I wanted there to be a brighter future for younger Black students so that there’s a place of comfort for them as they go through high school,” Johnson said.

Away from the football eld and track and his various leadership responsibilities, Johnson is the principal cellist for the Greenhill Chamber Orchestra.

“I feel like when you are playing music you can really bring out di erent emotions, whether it be happiness or sadness,” Johnson said. “How I am feeling can impact how I play, allowing me to put my own spin on the music I create.” is year marks Johnson’s eighth year playing the cello at Greenhill.

His accomplishments include qualifying for Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Orchestra twice and qualifying for the TPSMEA All-State Orchestra once. He has also achieved rst rank in the TPSMEA Solo and Ensemble competition and has played for the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra for a year.

“Aaron is an excellent cellist,” Greenhill Chamber Orchestra Director Nick Paraskevas said. “He is conscientious with his preparation. He is great in rehearsal and plays with an even and pleasant demeanor about him. He is open to feedback, and he is good to take suggestions and act on them.”

Paraskevas said that Johnson is more than a great cello player.

“AJ has been an e ective leader,” Paraskevas said. “He is patient and supportive of the e orts of others in the cello section. He is easy to work with. He keeps the section going and gives his fellow cellists good opportunities to do their best work.

I wanted there to be a brighter future for younger Black students so that there’s a place of comfort for them as they go through high school.”

As one of the two seniors in the cello section of the orchestra, Johnson has had to step up as a leader and take on a bigger role in orchestra, said Paraskevas.

“I have had a lot more responsibilities than I’ve had in years past as the rst chair,” Johnson said. “I have to make sure I am leading my section appropriately and am ensuring everyone is staying on task.”

Paraskevas is already mindful of the void that Johnson’s graduation will leave in the orchestra and the Upper School in general.

“We will miss AJ a lot next year,” Paraskevas said. “His presence and participation have been a positive in uence for many others across campus – including me. We will miss him.”