For Alivia Johnson, high school has been about growth, connection, and discovering her purpose.

After moving to Moses Lake from North Carolina just before her sophomore year, Alivia admits the transition was tough. “The beginning was hard,” she recalls. Starting over in a new town tested her confidence, but through basketball, classes, and new friendships, she found her place. That experience strengthened her resilience and helped her see challenges as opportunities to grow.

A major influence during her time at Moses Lake High School was her Spanish II teacher, Mr. Dominguez. “He made learning fun—you wanted to be in class,” she said. His encouragement and genuine care for students inspired Alivia to pursue a career where she can create that same kind of classroom environment. This fall, she will attend Boise State University to earn her degree in elementary education, with plans to eventually complete her master’s degree as well.

Academically, AP Literature helped sharpen her writing and critical thinking skills—tools she’s already applying while completing scholarship essays. Culinary arts strengthened her communication and collaboration skills, teaching her that teamwork truly matters (especially when baking!). On the basketball court, she grew as a leader, mentoring younger teammates and helping build a supportive, connected team culture during her senior year.

Alivia’s advice to younger students is simple but powerful: get involved, take your GPA seriously, and build strong study habits early. Most importantly, she says, “Be nice to everyone—you never know what someone else is going through.”

Moses Lake is proud to celebrate seniors like Alivia, whose resilience, leadership, and heart for children will undoubtedly make a lasting impact in the classrooms she leads one day.