La'Dasia Johnston '23 Recruiting Profile

My collegiate goals are to become an anesthesiologist or surgical tech. I have always had an interest in the medical field due to growing up with a parent who has sickle cell disease. It was hard growing up and having to watch my mom go through all the things that this disease does to her body while still being a great mom. She is truly my inspiration.  I have been through a lot and so has she but she persevered and still accomplished so much.

What makes me a good candidate for a team is my speed and my ability to be a team player. I come from a large family and so there was no big stars in our home. Compromise and team work is ingrained in me.  It's a way of life. Also, I have learned to use my ADHD to my advantage in the game. I am able to shift through the noise and can map out plays despite what would typically distract other players.  I always have high energy and consider myself to be infectious when it comes to determination and energy. Lastly, it has been instilled in me to never stop fighting. I do not care what the odds are, what a scoreboard says, or what the naysayers might say. As someone who has always been counted out because of my height, my mother made sure to instill this in me. A common saying we use for our daily affirmations is "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog".

What makes me different from the other recruits in character, athletics, and academics is- I know and admit my faults. I embrace them and am learning from them to be better. I admit I am not perfect but I am malleable.  I am actively working on being the best I can be. I have a point to prove to myself.. Everyone wants to eat...but few are willing to hunt for it. I am more than willing- I'm ready.