AVC Profile: Savannah Johnson

Playing basketball since the age of four, honors student Savannah Johnson found an escape from life’s challenges when on the court.

Savannah Johnson spent her early years with a grandmother and aunt in Los Angeles, but was placed into foster home care during her high school years due to health problems with her caregivers. Basketball was always Savannah’s escape.

Diagnosed with a pinched sciatic nerve in her junior year, Savannah was no longer possible to participate in basketball and quickly looked for another outlet. She focused on her studies and starting taking Advanced Placement classes to prepare herself for college.

“After getting to a certain age, I feel that you are in complete control of your life and the choices that you make,” said Savannah.

With a sidelining injury and new outlook on life, Savannah moved in with a brother in the Antelope Valley and threw herself into her studies at AVC, joining the rigorous honors program in the process.  With encouragement from her brother, Savannah also took a chance on her athletic goals, participating in open gym for the lady Marauder’s basketball team.

Savannah earned both a spot on the team and the title of team captain. “Basketball was always a great outlet for me and I didn’t have to deal with life issues while I was on the court,” said Savannah.

Savannah’s perseverance has paid off. This spring she graduated with honors and earned a full athletic scholarship to Division II Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. Practice starts this month.

“Athletically Savannah has all the mental and physical skills to succeed at Merrimack College,” said women’s basketball coach John Green. “She has the ability to defend 3 positions, mental toughness to expose weaker opponents offensively, and leadership qualities that will have an positive impact in Merrimack College women's basketball program.”

Savannah is the first in her family to play collegiate sports and the first to graduate from college. Majoring in psychology, Savannah hopes to someday help other foster care youth achieve their goals.

 “Everything that I saw growing up is exactly what I didn’t want to be, so I made it my mission to make my own future,” said Savannah.