Emilie Johns: Class of 2019
Graduated in 2019, Emilie Johns is currently a student at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. The life and experiences in high school helped Emilie find her interest and career.
Year graduated:
2019
What five words describe you in high school?:
Quirky, emerging, learner, artistic and ambitious
What activities were you involved in in high school?:
What do you wish you would have done differently in high school?
I wish I would have not cared what other people thought of me, because I know that the people who would talk negatively about me aren’t relevant in my life anymore.
What is your favorite subject and why?
I think saying theater is a little basic, so I’m going to go with AP English IV, because I found the best friend group in that class and read some amazing books. (Shout-out to the Chalant Bonhomies and Mrs. Vernon!)
What is your least favorite subject and why?
Physics. (Sorry, Mr. Shipp.) My science-y side of the brain is not equipped to handle physics.
What is your favorite lunch in high school?
I loved the cafeteria egg rolls, and I loved going off campus with friends to get Smoothie King and Sonic. Some of my favorite memories.
Have you ever gotten in trouble in high school?
I never got in serious trouble, but I was involved in some conversations over drama. Don’t let it happen to you; it’s not worth it.
What is your favorite high school memory?
Winning Best Actress at the District UIL OAP competition. I felt like everything I’d been working towards for four years had finally been worth it. I always think about it when I get burned out doing theatre.
What did you do after high school?
I am currently at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, studying for my BFA in Musical Theater and loving every minute of it!
What lesson you learned in college you wish you knew in high school?
Don’t always take other people’s opinions as your own. Do your own research and form your own thoughts.
Do you have any advice for current high school students?
DRAMA IS NOT WORTH IT! Focus on you and only you. And don’t always listen to what the Internet tells you.
If you could do something over again, what would it be and why?
I wouldn’t redo anything, because I wouldn’t be the same person if certain events happened differently, but I would want to relive doing Little Shop of Horrors. It was such a fun show!
What are you doing now?
I am currently serving as props mistress for our student-directed show, The Night of Jan. 16 and having a wonderful time doing it!
What’s next for you?
Next semester, I will be playing Colin Craven in The Secret Garden and pledging for Alpha Psi Omega, HSU’s theater-specific Greek club!
What will you be doing 10 years from now?
Whatever God calls me to do and hopefully something that has to do with singing, acting and dancing.
What reaction would your high school self have if you could tell her what you are up to now?
I like to think baby Emilie would be proud of me. I think she would be mostly relieved that everything has worked out as planned!
Pineapple on pizza:
NO.
A song you know every single word to:
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. I don’t know why, I just do.
What is your favorite song in high school:
This changed so much. I think at the end of my senior year it was “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John. An attempt to be poignant.