Lindenwood - Winter 2017 - Connecting to Alumni and Friends

Lindenwood alumna Brooke Johnson (’16) was crowned Miss Alaska USA 2018 on Sept. 30, 2017, certainly a dream come true, but she has bigger dreams even still. Before graduating in 2016, Johnson co-captained the Lionettes Dance Team, co-starred in and produced a student web series called Life as a Lindenwood Lion , chaired the Campus Activities Board, and pursued her passion for film through the Digital Cinema Arts program. “The first time I drove on campus I knew there were so many possibilities ahead of me,” Johnson said. As a transfer student, her journey to campus was not direct, but she quickly found her place in student life. Her journey to Lindenwood began when she won first runner up for Miss Alaska USA 2014, which opened up scholarship opportunities that enabled her transfer. She found more than an education when she arrived on campus. “Lindenwood helped me find my voice and embrace who I am,” Johnson said. “I was pushed to not only work on my weaknesses but to showcase my strengths as well, which can carry into all aspects of life, not just pageants. The faculty and fellow students always loved me for my quirky spirit, which in turn helped me love myself and feel confidently beautiful.” The confidence and courage she gained during her experiences at Lindenwood enabled her to compete for Miss Alaska once more. Johnson roared to the top and claimed first place. And her journey continues to compete in the Miss USA 2018 competition next spring. During her time as Miss Alaska USA, Johnson plans to continue her work with Youth Empowered Achievers! (Yea! Inc.) to help young people embrace themselves and erase the stigma around mental health. She hopes to inspire a journey to self-confidence like the one she took at Lindenwood. On top of her charity work, Johnson is already making a difference in her field as the first female photojournalist at Coastal Television Broadcasting Company in Anchorage. But her journey does not stop there. She plans to ultimately produce and star in her own films and television series. Johnson had a few words of advice for those who want to live like a Lindenwood Lion even after graduation. “Never give up; never back down,” Johnson said. “Lindenwood is amazing in that everyone is very supportive but they always want to see you reach your greatest potential. What can you do to take it to the next level? What can you do to stand out from everyone else? How can you be ‘like no other’? Dancing across that stage at graduation, I was so proud to be a part of the Lindenwood legacy.” BROOKE JOHNSON CROWNED MISS ALASKA USA by BAILEY KINNEY Brooke Johnson reacts to being crowned Miss Alaska USA on Sept. 30. She will go on to compete for Miss USA in the spring. Lindenwood University ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 4 Lindenwood is amazing... they always want to see you reach your greatest potential.” Brooke Johnson “