Much like the elves in Santa’s workshop, the editors of the Pioneer work late nights behind the scenes to make sure this paper comes out every Thursday. The “head-elf” is Editor-in-Chief Sophie Johnson. Johnson is this week’s Whittie of the Week for her hard work, diligence and unique personality.
Johnson discovered journalism at the tender age of 3. She diligently recorded the day’s events with crayon drawings and then compiled them into a “Sophiegorian.”
“There was an Oregonian and I didn’t understand why there wasn’t a Sophiegorian so I started one. By the time I was seven and knew how to use the computer I distributed the Sophiegorian all throughout my house,” said Johnson.
In fifth grade Johnson started another newspaper called “Kidz Newz.” Together with a few friends, Johnson wrote ground-breaking stories about how great “Babysitter’s Club” books were or how her sister lost a tooth. She gave the stories to her dad, who made copies that Johnson distributed throughout her elementary school.
Johnson was one of the rare few who enjoyed middle school. She especially liked eighth grade. Johnson gave her eighth grade graduation speech wearing all black and dyed blue hair. She spoke about how all of us must feel like “bruised purple iris in a field of roses.” Looking back, Johnson imagines all the parents must have thought she was “totally goth.”
Johnson came to Whitman for the library. She doesn’t understand how people can dread going to the library; Johnson loves to spend her Friday and Saturday nights there.
“I like to go there when nobody else is there, go down the aisles, look for interesting books, pick them out and read them. There are such amazing books out there. I mean you should just spend a couple of hours doing that because whole new worlds will open up to you,” said Johnson.
The library isn’t Johnson’s only odd hobby; she is also a big collector. She collects Sweet & Low packets as well as spatulas. Johnson currently has 325 spatulas and welcomes additions.
Johnson also really likes paper. After taking Book Arts at Whitman, she began making stationary out of old books found in thrift stores. It’s not uncommon to find Johnson sitting in front the television, watching a movie and sewing paper.
Johnson is in the “Sweet Adeline” a cappella group and plays in a band called the Esplanades. An esplanade is a cement path by the water, as Johnson explained. Johnson loves the one in Portland for the dichotomy made by the path separating the beautiful river from the graffiti-covered freeway.
Johnson became vegetarian at an early age after her mom gave her crab for dinner. She asked why it had a face and was horrified to discover that the crab had once been alive.
As a sophomore in high school, Johnson became a vegan. According to Johnson, “Not only is veganism really really good for you, it also is a really worthwhile cause. It’s about workers rights, environmental rights; basically every big domestic issue. Meat and dairy processing factories have some of the worst worker’s rights in the country.”
Johnson is a proud member of Action for Animals as well as Peace Coalition.
“I like to go to the Peace Rallies and write mean editorials about them,” said Johnson.
She has also written an editorial about birds. She has two bird tattoos as well as two live birds that live in an aviary in her basement. Not only can Johnson identify every bird in Walla Walla, she can also do hilarious renditions of their calls.
