If you’re looking for senior Mark Johanson, you’ll likely find him in a pair of scrubs.
“I wear them on Mondays and Tuesdays because we go off campus to either the Kingwood HCA hospital or off-site places for my health science class so we can get hands-on experience,” Johanson said.
Johanson is involved in many clubs and organizations, including HOSA, Drama Club and cross country.
“I’m very passionate about a lot of things and I love to be busy so being in so many things keeps me on my toes and helps me maintain being organized,” said Johanson. “I also make so many friends and meet so many people when I try new things and it makes me happy.”
Johanson’s love for all things HOSA runs in the family. Many family members have a history in HOSA or the medical field.
“Science has always been like a draw factor for me. My grandmother was science-related, my grandfather was in science, and, like, pretty much my whole family is science-related. Science is in everyone’s genes,” Johanson said.
Johanson is currently the HOSA president. It was his mother who pushed him into the club.
“Being HOSA president is probably one of my biggest accomplishments because I fell in love with HOSA,” Johanson said. “My mom did HOSA in high school. She recommended HOSA for me, and so I was like, ‘Sure.'”
All of Johanson’s work and accomplishments are preparing him for college and his future career. Johanson plans on becoming a biology major.
“I plan on majoring in biology. I’m going to do the pre-med route possibly, I don’t really know yet,” he said. “I just know that I do, in fact, want to do something in the biology realm. So majoring in biology is obviously the way to go.”
With being involved in so many activities, Johanson had to find a way to keep track of time.
“I just love this thing called my calendar. It is gorgeous. It’s lovely. It’s my favorite thing in the world. It’s color-coded,” Johanson said.
Johanson is supported by HOSA president-elect David Gonzalez, who works alongside him. They have worked in clinical rotations together and both have a passion for health care.
“Mark is not only a friend but he’s also a mentor,” Gonzalez said. “When I was a freshman and he was a sophomore, he took me to the area international area conference, and he helped me like really invest in being part of HOSA and he molded me into someone that could take up the role of being president next year.”
Junior Alexa Grubb is not ready for Johanson, her best friend, to leave. She said she will miss not having him so close to home.
“I look up to him so much as a person,” Grubb said. “So I think once he’s when he’s not here, it’s gonna be a lot of change because I’m so used to having him around every day.”
Grubb is proud of everything Johanson has accomplished. She is one of his biggest supporters.
“He’s everything,” Grubb said. “Like, he’s president of HOSA. He’s in like every organization ever. And he still manages to keep his grades up and still manages to be a good person and be there for people.”
Hard work and motivation drive Johanson in his work and studies. He said he constantly strives for excellence.
“My parents have always pushed me to be the best,” Johanson said. “I get the grades I need to and so that’s always been my foundation. I started off doing high advanced classes. I applied that pushing and striving to do better in my electives and my extracurriculars. That way it pushes me.”
Even though it’s the end of the year, Johanson isn’t letting the blues get him down.
“I plan on just, you know, living to the fullest. I’ve been blessed to do so many different things,” said Johanson. “I want to spend it with my friends, my families that I’ve made and just do the things that I love with them.”
