Bonny Johnson - GHC Student, Medical Assisting
Helping Others while Reaching Her Goals
Like many students starting out, Bonny Johnson wasn鈥檛 sure if college was for her, or what career path she wanted to pursue, but she knew one thing for sure: she wanted to help others.
Bonny has carried this desire to help others throughout her whole life. She remembers as a kid, going to nursing homes and singing to patients. She has raised money for various organizations and nonprofits, and she is currently preparing for a volunteer trip to Uganda this summer.
Before enrolling at GHC, Bonny took training to work as a home care provider. This became a turning point in her educational journey. 鈥淚 got an education to be a home care provider, and that education lit a fire in me. I had a thirst for education that could not be filled,鈥� she recalled. Soon after, a friend recommended GHC鈥檚 Medical Assisting program, and Bonny decided to give it a shot.
鈥淚 had this fear going back to school, because I remember how hard school was for me,鈥� Bonny said, reflecting on her first day back in a classroom. 鈥淢ath class with Patrick Martin changed everything. He didn鈥檛 wait for me to ask for help, he just gave me the help I needed,鈥� she remembered. 鈥淭hat was huge, for me to get that help in my first class.鈥�
Bonny is now in her second year of the Medical Assisting program at GHC, and she is on track to graduate with the rest of her cohort in June, 2023. After that, she plans to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree. 鈥淚 want to go back to school and get my bachelor鈥檚 in organizational management, because I would like to help others in the office,鈥� Bonny shared. 鈥淚 want to get ready for management of some form.鈥�
Bonny said that she has experienced a friendly and supportive atmosphere at GHC. 鈥淓veryone at GHC is welcoming, and I believe they have a compassion and a heart to see other people learn,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 see joy in them when they know they鈥檙e helping you and see you reach a milestone. Even now, whenever I see my B-Tech teacher in the hallways, she taught me about Microsoft and PowerPoint, I always tell her I鈥檓 using my skills!鈥�
After graduating, Bonny looks forward to using her skills and knowledge to help others. 鈥淢y biggest dream is to go and volunteer in clinics in Uganda,鈥� Bonny shared. 鈥淚 will get to work in clinics, and I just know I鈥檓 going to learn so much. They鈥檙e making it work and helping people with very little, and I鈥檓 excited to learn from them. I hope I can be a great help as well,鈥� she said.
Bonny also uses her sewing skills to help clinics in Uganda from home. 鈥淭hey needed specific things, like pillowcase dresses, washable sanitary pads, and pouches,鈥� she explained. This summer, Bonny will travel to Uganda to deliver the handmade items to a clinic she has been volunteering with from home. Her goal is 200 pillowcase dresses and 200 each of additional items that the clinic needs. 鈥淎 lot of the things I do, I鈥檝e never done before. There鈥檚 a need, and I research and fill that need,鈥� she added.
When asked what advice she would give other students, Bonny said, 鈥渕ake connections with your fellow students. Have study parties. Help everyone get across the goal line. In helping others, you鈥檒l get there too. It鈥檚 not a race; let鈥檚 all get through this together.鈥�
In winter of 2023, Bonny was nominated to represent GHC on Phi Theta Kappa鈥檚 All-USA Academic Team, an honor that recognizes outstanding students for their accomplishments in the classroom and service leadership in their communities.