The Austin Noon Kiwanis student of the month is Jori Johnson, a senior at Austin High School.  She is described as “motivated, thoughtful and committed.” Since eighthgradehe has been involved on the Austin Packer Dance team,where she learned how to work with others and become more selfless. Jori has done various volunteer work for the dance team as well as giving back to the community.  She worked the Harvest Fest downtown and also Zumba with children, which has continued to teach her that giving back is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

“Throughout my four years here at AHS I have been on the Packer Dance Team,” Johnson said. “As a team we try to give back to the community as much as possible. Being on this team has taught me a lot when it comes to basic life skills. I have learned that alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.  In dance, we have these groups that we call our families. These families consist of a few younger girls, and about two older ones.  Around Christmas time, like now, we usually go with our families and pay it forward.  By pay it forward, I mean that we would pay for someone’s meal, pay for their gas, or give them a gift card.  This year it is different.  We have realized that it’s not about giving others money … it is about giving them your time.  The greatest gift you can give someone is your time.  Because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back.”

“When I am finished with high school, I plan to go to Riverland to receive my generals,” Johnson said. “After I finish at Riverland, I then plan to transfer to a four-year to earn my bachelor’s degree.  I am not set on a major I want to pursue yet, but I am leaning more towards the medical field, or criminal justice.”

“The person who has inspired me the most is my mom.  She was a single parent to all three of her children.  Throughout my childhood, I would go to my dad’s house every two weeks to see him.  As we got older, I could not see my dad as much.  Sadly, on the day Jan. 1, 2017, I lost my father.  Knowing what my mom has gone through, and watching her do it all for us, I want to do the same for her.  I want to make her proud and show her that she raised a young woman that will succeed in the real world.  I want to show her that everything she has done, wasn’t for nothing.  That I will do big things one day.”