President of the Rock Ridge DECA Chapter senior Lauren Johnson has competed  at the DECA International Conference for the past three years. DECA—Distributive Education Clubs of America—is a non-profit organization that develops students’ abilities around the globe and helps them emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs. Johnson, a determined individual, achieved a Virginia DECA Merit Award in March of 2018. The award is given to students that show exceptional leadership and participation in VA DECA. Johnson said, “DECA has definitely opened my eyes into. . . understanding how to market myself, not only as a dancer but as a human being.”  

Along with being an outstanding leader, Johnson is an excellent dancer; she performs with her company, the Loudoun School of Ballet, at the highest level offered. She dreams to perform live on Broadway and go on a national tour.  Planning to attend a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) after finishing high school, Johnson has applied to her dream schools: Pace University, University of Southern California, Elon University and Montclair State.

Johnson has opened for the Chita Rivera Awards for Dance and Choreography twice in her dance career. The Chita Rivera Awards recognize exceptional dance and choreography on Broadway and Film.  She has also worked as an extra in the movie Breaking Brooklyn. Her next step in her goal to perform on an NYC stage starts with attending classes at Broadway Dance Center or Steps on Broadway.  Johnson explained, “I want to be on Broadway because there’s nothing like live performance.”