歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI -- From a rather shy, quiet kid to a youth advocate, Robert Johnson grew into a leader at Voyageurs Expeditionary 歪歪漫画.

The catalyst for his character development was serving as a member of the Minnesota Youth Council, he said. In this position, which he served for three years, Johnson represented the students living in Minnesota鈥檚 large seventh congressional district.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a collaboration of 32 students from across the state from Minnesota鈥檚 eight congressional districts,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur goal is to empower youth voices.鈥�

In giving others a voice, he found his.

鈥淭his was the experience that allowed me to fully escape my shell. That鈥檚 probably my proudest accomplishment,鈥� he added.

Johnson is graduating from Voyageurs as a member of the Class of 2020, and will use his acquired leadership skills to make a difference.

Not only was he active as a leader on the Minnesota Youth Council, but also as a state officer for MAAP Stars -- an alternative education program that advocates for project building and hands-on learning styles.

鈥淚t was my job to go around and promote alternative education to different schools,鈥� he explained.

He is also a participant in the Upward Bound program, and was enrolled in college courses at Bemidji State throughout his high school career.

Small class sizes and hands-on learning at both Voyageurs and Ponemah -- where he attended from kindergarten through eighth grade -- helped him to thrive academically, he said.

Since he has spent so much time around the legislative process, many have suggested that he should run for office, but Johnson isn鈥檛 particularly interested. Instead, he hopes to help others with a career in the medical field.

Johnson will be attending Colby College in Maine this fall to study biology and history on a pre-med track. He received a full-ride scholarship to attend, and was supposed to fly out to Maine this spring for a visit, but due to the coronavirus situation, has not been able to see the campus in person yet.

He hopes to give back to his community by going to medical school and then returning to Red Lake Nation to work as a physician.

鈥淭o provide for my people and community is kind of my ultimate end goal,鈥� he said. The coronavirus pandemic has only solidified his desire to work in the medical field.

鈥淚n a way, it鈥檚 motivated me, because it鈥檚 a lot of scientists and doctors and medical professionals on the front lines trying to find a cure (for COVID-19),鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of unification of medical professionals from across the world, and that鈥檚 really motivating in a sense.鈥�

In lieu of a traditional commencement ceremony, Johnson and his classmates will be celebrated with a short parade ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 29, in the Voyageurs 歪歪漫画 parking lot, 3724 Bemidji Ave. N.