By Derrick Smith

Athletes have people that they look up to and help shape them into who they become. These role models could be a celebrity or a famous athlete, but in Jaemie Johns’ case, it is someone that she is close to.
“My biggest influences are my stepdad and mom,” she said. “They push me to be the best I can be. My stepdad is the only reason I am good at softball. Without him, I wouldn’t be even close to where I am at. He practices with me whenever I ask and corrects me when I am doing something wrong. My mom wants the best for me and will do anything for me to become who I wish to be.”

Jaemie is a junior at Elgin High School, where she plays second base, outfield, and catcher for the softball team. She is also a member of a travel softball team. She says that she started playing softball in t-ball. She continued to play, but when she was about thirteen, she buckled down and started to take it more seriously.
While she has put in a lot of work to get where she is, Johns says taht there are two big things that have helped her get to where she is.
“Practice and good coaches are key in being a solid athlete,” she said. “You have to practice when no one else is watching. You have to be willing to do it in your own time, not just with your team. And strive hard to be your best.”
She has made a lot of memories during her career, but Jaemie says that there is one game that stands out as her favorite.
“There was a game against Bethany where I hit three home runs,” she recalled. “It felt great to have such a great game and experience it with my teammates. It also helped us secure the win because the home runs put the game out of reach.”
Jaemie is also a member of the National Honor Society. After she graduates, she hopes to have the opportunity to play college softball somewhere and further her education in the business field.