by Rachel Johnson
Dear BVU,
Hello! You may not know me and that’s okay. I’m new to this as well. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rachel Johnson, a Junior Biochemistry and Chemical Biology major with an English Literature minor, hailing from the great islands of the Bahamas. Why is this relevant? Sometimes to obtain your goals you have to memorialize the past to be comfortable stepping into the future. Now how did I get into New Dawn? Believe it or not, the rumors suggest I am a science person. Both are true and relevant at the same time but not apparent at the moment. Back in my high school years, I was President of the Creative Writing Club.
You may be thinking, ‘Oh she agreed to lead a group of people in the pastime of writing!’ Most of my years were spent indulging in the excitement of poetry and vast works of short stories and literature pieces that my peers would produce. Every spring, we would be involved in curating a magazine filled with art pieces and writings from students around the school that would send in submissions. I was featured in a few of these magazines myself. However, they were not digital magazines back then.
These inspired me so much that when Kosi presented the idea of becoming Co-Editor-In-Chief with her, I became elated and excited to bring such important creative pieces to the BVU community. You may be wondering how I am qualified to be in this role. Well, I am here to say that I’m not. I am probably the most unqualified, qualified person you will ever meet. Until proven otherwise. My other motivation is to provide a healthy space of expression that the BVU community hasn’t been able to have.
DRIVEN
passionate
motivated.
Meanwhile, in all of the time that I am spending studying for the MCAT and completing a summer course on top of preparing for the launch of the return to New Dawn, I am currently finishing my poetry book, Flower: An Interpretation of A Butterfly, which has been a joy to create. It is a journey showcasing the healing power of creative arts and what happens when a young girl experiences loss with the guidance of God to ignite her journey toward who she is.
Learning from my mom who has headed one of the largest organizations in the Bahamas called Kiwanis, which prides itself in service to children all around the world, I find myself tasked to push the envelope of the meaning of fair access and indispensable service to communities who need resources. This is another one of the reasons why I hold service in different capacities to this extent. We have a chance to service the BVU community and I am so excited about the endeavor that me and my Co-Editor-In-Chief, Kosi, are about to embark upon.
I’ve never been one personally to stay in a box with my creativity. I always find a way to push the envelope and if it hasn’t been done before, I find ways for it to be done. Using this logic aids me in the criteria to apply this to any organization that I am a part of. With this, it has brought me success in many areas that I could only dream of with the help of Jesus Christ leading me. This would not be possible without his vision for my life.
Thank you all for reading this and I can’t wait to connect with you soon!
Sincerely,
Rachel Keva Johnson
coEditor-In-Chief