HHS grad heads to ULL to live out track dreams

Now that Alexandra Johnson’s time at Hahnville High School is over, she can reflect on what made it so special.

“I had an amazing time at Hahnville,” she said. “They definitely allowed me to accomplish a lot – both academically and athletically. I feel like if I would have gone anywhere else I wouldn’t have had as much success. There was always someone there you could connect with – it was just like a family.”

Johnson is a member of HHS’ 2021 graduating class. The Luling native finished summa cum laude and was voted Most Athletic by her class. She was also the 2020-2021 Homecoming Queen.

Johnson participated in a number of athletic and extra-curricular endeavors at HHS. She ran both indoor and outdoor track, ran cross country in her senior year and was a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club – where she served as president her senior year. She was also an athletic trainer, all while taking seven AP classes.

In the fall Johnson will head – actually run – to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to major in nursing and be a member of the track team there.

“In the future I want to become a nurse who specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine,” she said. “It was always a goal to run in college, but it was kind of a setback when I didn’t have my junior season, but my senior season went better than expected.”

Johnson missing her junior season of track due to the pandemic fueled her desire for success her senior year. She was the track district champion and state 800m runner-up. She placed third in the state 400m run.

The lessons she learned at HHS, Johnson said, happened both in and out of the classroom.

“I definitely learned a lot of patience, and that you have to work hard to accomplish what you want,” she said of what she learned by participating in track. “There are times that it might seem like it’s not going your way, but you have to trust that you’re doing the best you can and that eventually you’ll get to where you want to be.”

Johnson said attending her father’s alma matter, and the fact that he ran track at ULL as well, is a special feeling.

“Everybody is excited,” she said laughing. “It’s fun.”

Johnson said she is grateful for her time at HHS, as well as the support system she’s been blessed with.

“God definitely helped me through some tough times,” she said. “And my mom and dad were always there for me….and I’d like to thank my coaches for believing in me, especially in times that I didn’t believe in myself.”