Johanna Campos is one of Huntington High School’s most enthusiastic seniors. She’s excited about her course schedule and especially motivated to continue doing well. The teenager has her eye on several college possibilities and is working even harder than usual to put her best foot forward.
“There are so many courses I’m looking forward to taking this year,” Ms. Campos said. “I am very excited to take Fashion Portfolio Development with Mrs. [Kim] Valerio, as well as Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design with Mrs. [Pamela] Piffard. I always look forward to these classes because it’s where I am allowed to fully be myself and be self-expressive. Another course I’m looking forward to is African American Politics. After taking AP U.S History with Mr. [Kenneth] Donovan last year, I became really interested in some of the topics we learned about. I want to educate myself more on such topics so I can amplify my voice.
Ms. Campos has adapted to all the many changes in her life necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ones the impact her classroom education and extracurricular interests.
“I hope to get involved in the clubs that I am a member of as well as the academic honor societies that I have been inducted into,” the senior said. “It’ll be a strange, but exciting experience to participate in new ways now that we’re doing it remotely. I’m glad that soccer is still happening and I’m happy to make some final memories with my teammates.”
Outside of school, the teenager said she plans on “keeping up” with her mask business. “I’m always trying to find new ways of giving back to my community. I’ve spent all my summer making and selling masks. With all of the money I’ve made, I’ve sent it to my country, El Salvador. With the money, I’ve been able to create baskets full of groceries, medical kits and clothes. On top of COVID, El Salvador has also been hit with devastating rainstorms that have left many in the streets. I wanted to help communities, even if I’m miles away.”
The senior is currently interested in Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute and Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in California.
“I’m not really sure what I want to do as a career yet, but I know it will be something in the fashion world and I want it to have a purpose,” Ms. Campos said. “Giving back and helping others is a big part of who I am and I want whatever my career ends up being to involve helping others in some way.”