Urbana High School Student of the Week

Riley Johnson

Riley Johnson

Name: Riley Johnson

School: Urbana High School

Grade: 10th

Age: 16

Extra-curricular: Soccer, Tennis, Art, Choir, Show Choir, Musical

Claim to fame/honors: Won best caricature drawing in 8th grade, created multiple t-shirt designs/graphics for school, won many county fair awards, illustrated 3 books, launched successful art business

Words you live by: "When others go low, we go high"

Toughest challenge: Before high school my love for art was dying down and I knew I wanted to pursue it but did not have any drive or interest to take my talents to that level. Thankfully I was convinced to join art class by my sister because she saw my potential, and soon my love for art multiplied.

Biggest influence: My art teachers and Mike Grim

School-day rituals: Dropped off at school, go to the art room to work on projects as much as I can, eat lunch and go home with a friend or straight to extra-curricular activities

What's on your bedroom walls: Personal artwork, awards, canvases and designs, floating shelves and accent lighting

When I'm bored I like to … watch YouTube, TV shows or movies, play soccer, draw, or play video games with friends

Favorite movie: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Person who would play you in a movie: Pete Davidson

Favorite TV show: The Mandalorian

Favorite musical artist: Drake

Favorite book: Fahrenheit 451

Favorite home-cooked meal: Spaghetti

Favorite restaurant: Cadillac Ranch Restaurant

Whose mind would you like to read: My friends'

Place where you'd love to travel: Tahiti

Talent you'd like to have: To be good at basketball

Favorite school subject: Art

Favorite athlete: Zlatan Ibrahimović

Favorite team: FC Barcelona

Something in the world I'd like to change: World hunger

Favorite high school moment: All the times in choir when the class of 2019 were in it

Favorite junk food: Hershey's Kisses

Best thing about high school: The opportunities of growth, finding your skills and what you love, creating strong friendships, and making memories that you'll remember for a lifetime

About the Author