Shelonda Johnson, a sixth-grader at Cairo Elementary School, is a name you should remember. Born in Mount Vernon in 2012 and having lived in various small towns before settling in Cairo, Shelonda has not only made a home here, but she’s also woven herself into the fabric of the community. She’s a young woman with big dreams and an even bigger heart, and her path is one that blends love for her roots with an ambition that reaches far beyond them.

I’ve been with my grandmother for about seven years now,” Shelonda explains, speaking of her primary caregiver with pride. “She’s young, just turned 60 in July,” she laughs, recognizing that her grandmother’s youthful energy has helped shape her own zest for life.

Family plays an important role for Shelonda. Among her cousins, including her close friend D’ava, Shelonda finds joy and support at school. The duo has been inseparable since childhood, and together they make Cairo Elementary feel more like an extended family gathering than a simple school day.

But it’s not all fun and games for Shelonda. She has her eyes on a future that includes not just high school graduation, but a law degree from the Ivy League, with Harvard University as her prime target. “I want to study law and be a lawyer,” she shares with confidence. “I’m good at arguments,” she adds with a twinkle in her eye, suggesting that this skill isn’t just about winning debates, but also about advocating for those who need a voice.

Her aspirations aren’t just a fantasy. Inspired by figures like Michelle Obama, Shelonda is driven by a desire to uplift her community and demonstrate that success is attainable, even from a small town like Cairo. “I want to show people here that good is possible, and that you can be somebody, not just something,” Shelonda explains, her words carrying the weight of her dreams for both herself and her community. “You can be a big fish in a little pond, but I want to show people you can also be a big fish in open waters.”

Beyond the classroom, Shelonda excels in sports, contributing in softball, basketball, and cheerleading. Of the three, cheerleading holds a special place in her heart, thanks in no small part to the mentorship of her cheer coach, Monica, who also works in the school office. It’s this kind of connection—with students, teachers, and the larger community—that has helped Shelonda thrive in Cairo. “We stay on a positive note as much as we can, and we just stick together,” she says of her school.

When asked about what she loves most about Cairo, Shelonda doesn’t hesitate. “The school, the dollar store, the river, the park,” she rattles off, as if it’s a wellpracticed mantra. Her love for her hometown is palpable, as is her optimism about its future. Shelonda recognizes that Cairo, like any small town, has its challenges, but her belief in its potential is unwavering. “We want everybody to see that we can do great things and go above and beyond.”

As Shelonda looks toward her future, she remains focused on the present, enjoying the friendships, lessons, and experiences that are shaping her journey. When asked what she’ll remember most about her time at Cairo Elementary at her 20th class reunion one day, she lights up with excitement. “6th grade year,” she says without hesitation. “We’re graduating, we’re moving on to junior high school. But we’ll talk about kindergarten too—because that’s when it all started.”

Shelonda Johnson is not just a student. She’s a future leader, a proud Cairo native, and a young woman on a mission to prove that, with determination, the smallest towns can produce the biggest successes.