Pirate Spirit

Overcoming it all

NO MATTER WHAT, JOHNSON KEEPS

COMING BACK

For a basketball guard who’s constantly busy, Raven Johnson’s injuries forced her to slow down.

On Sept. 30, 2020, she tore her ACL in practice, missing her senior year. The previous year, the AAC All-Academic Team member received a medical hardship redshirt after injuring her knee early in ECU’s season.

Then, the unimaginable: Her father died.

“It was a rough time when I didn’t have basketball as an outlet. Everything was hitting me all at once. I had never been so still in my entire life,” Johnson said.

When the NCAA granted another year of eligibility because of the pandemic, Johnson decided to return.

“Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted to quit, and I know my dad wouldn’t have wanted me to quit,” she said.

Her parents, Carolyn and James Johnson, were college student-athletes who got their children involved in sports at an early age.

“Growing up, I watched him sacrifice a lot just so I could play and my siblings could play,” Raven said. “He always wanted me to be the best that I could be.”

Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology with a minor in nutrition in 2020. She is pursuing a master’s in kinesiology with a concentration in sport and exercise psychology — an emerging career specialty — and certificate in sport management.

While rehabilitating, Johnson supported her teammates. “Whatever positive energy I have, I try to make sure I use that to give it to someone else and help fill them up a little bit,” she said.

FOR MORE INFO

See more about Raven Johnson at youtu .be/MAOpVvBY7LA

Raven Johnson

Year: Graduate student Major: Kinesiology Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia

WHATEVER POSITIVE ENERGY I HAVE, I TRY TO MAKE SURE I USE THAT TO GIVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND HELP FILL THEM UP A LITTLE BIT .

Women’s head coach Kim McNeill said she’s excited to have Johnson back, one of four graduate students on the team.

“With everything that Raven’s gone through, I don’t know that there’s too many people — not just athletes — that could get up and have a smile on their face every day and come out here and try to get through it,” McNeill said. “I think it shows the younger kids that you can do it, regardless of what walls or adversity you might hit, that you are strong enough to push through.” – Crystal Baity

5 minutes with

JON MCLAMB ’92

By Doug Boyd Position: Founder and president of CourtHarbor Degree: Leisure systems studies Hometown: Lexington, North Carolina

“CourtHarbor is the creator of patented, free-standing tennis court dividers that provide more enjoyable tennis by reducing the number of ‘lets’ (interrupted play) during tennis matches and serve as a unique, firstof-its-kind on-court branding tool . The idea for the court dividers came from being on the tennis court one day and seeing multiple tennis balls spread across two courts along the back fence and thinking there had to be a more effective way . CourtHarbor now offers a full line of custom logo court products for tennis and pickleball that includes custom court number signs, net signs, scorekeepers, windscreens and pickleball court dividers .

“Know your ‘why’ and never lose sight of it. Reminding yourself of your why is often the encouragement and motivation you need most, particularly during the most challenging days . Make your vision and your why that drives your vision bigger than you or any one individual . “Life Paths is a personal development program for high school students as part of CourtHarbor’s giveback initiative, Ad Love . The central theme of the program is ‘What Would I Tell My High School-Age Self?’ and consists of local professionals from various career fields sharing their knowledge and insight with students in a roundtable format . (Watch them at bit .ly/3BBdMjd .)

“The discipline and perseverance I learned as a member of the men’s tennis team had a tremendous and lasting impact on me personally and professionally. The relationships with my coaches, teammates and friends at ECU are some of the greatest of my life that will never be forgotten .

We want to hear stories from alumni about how their experiences at ECU shaped them today and how they pass those lessons to others. Send us an email at easteditor@ecu.edu.

ARTS EVENTS

ON CAMPUS

Voyages of Discovery

Jill Heinerth is one

of the world’s premier underwater explorers and the first person to dive inside iceberg caves. She is the first Explorer-inResidence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and she is the inaugural recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration and Canada’s Polar Medal. Said filmmaker James Cameron, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” She wrote a bestselling book, Into the Planet – My Life as a Cave Diver, and speaks at East Carolina University as part of the Voyages of Discovery Series on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at voyages.ecu.edu.

The second Voyages event of the spring semester features Robin Wall Kimmerer,

a mother, scientist, decorated professor and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. As a writer and a scientist, Kimmerer’s interests in restoration include not only restoration of ecological communities, but restoration of our relationships to land. Register for this live-streaming event at bit.ly/3CeO70h. It is April 14 at 7 p.m. EXHIBITS

Proctor-Yongue Gallery

The College of Fine Arts and Communication is now a First Friday Art Walk stop, hosting closing receptions for exhibitions. Billed as “Art Jams,” they feature art on the inside and programming on the front porch of the ProctorYongue House. Spring events feature new work by professors Gabe Duggan and Cynthia Bickley-Green, exhibition and reception Feb. 4, 5 to 8 p.m.; close up with “Zulu and Zot,” Sue Luddeke’s illustrations for her forthcoming book, exhibition and reception March 4, 5 to 8 p.m.; and new work by professor Audrey Kilgore, exhibition and reception April 1, 5 to 8 p.m.

ON STAGE

S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series

For this 50th anniversary celebration, Pilobolus questions its own “givens,” turns its traditions sideways and brings its past into the future. As fresh and vibrant as ever, Pilobolus puts the “Oh!” in “Big Five Oh!” and continues to morph its way into audiences’ hearts and minds. Includes signature works from vintage classics to setting innovative work in shadow. Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Wright Auditorium.

A cappella sensation Voctave has more than 150 million online views of their videos. Their latest album, The Corner of Broadway & Main Street Vol. 2, debuted at #3 on the iTunes charts. They’ll bring vocal magic to Wright Auditorium with their arrangements of Broadway, popular and Disney showstoppers. March 6 at 4 p.m.

Master illusionist Vitaly has mystified fans across the globe, including superstars Penn & Teller on their hit TV show Fool Us. From bringing pictures and drawings to life to erasing people from their own driver’s licenses, Vitaly’s illusions leave even the most jaded audience awestruck. See for yourself at Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders. March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

An eclectic ensemble reveals their hidden passions, personalities and desires, bringing about unpredictable and hilarious consequences when The Opera Locos

hit Wright Auditorum. Expect the virtuosic performance of operatic hits from The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville, La Traviata, Turandot and more combined with wellknown rock and pop classics baked inside a layer cake of comedy. April 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The Tannahill Weavers are Scottish music

trailblazers who deploy tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements that have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes. From reflective ballads to foot-stomping reels and jigs, their variety and range is matched only by their enthusiasm and Celtic spirit. April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

It’s the world’s most unique two-person circus show! A fast-paced, high-energy show for all ages, they’ve been featured in Hugh Jackman’s hit movie, The Greatest Showman, the Tony Award-winning Pippin on Broadway, Britney Spears World Circus Tour and the movie Burlesque, to highlight just a few. Join The Great Dubois, the award-winning combination of Michael DuBois and Viktoria Grimmy, for a spectacular evening of big-time big-top family fun. May 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket information is at artscomm.ecu.edu/alexander-series. Tickets and live-steaming information are at theatredance.ecu.edu or available by calling 252-328-6829.

Family Fare

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The bunny was very pleased with himself and for good reason: He was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then one day, on an ocean voyage, he went overboard. Author Kate DiCamillo takes you on an extraordinary journey from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle: how to love, to lose and to love again. ECU Storybook Theatre presents The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane March 25 in Wright Auditorium and March 26 at Turnage Theatre in Washington.

ECU/Loessin Playhouse

The School of Theatre and Dance welcomes audiences back to McGinnis Theatre for its 60th annual ECU/Loessin Playhouse Season.

A Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival, Pippin tells the story of a young prince who sets out in search of the secret to happiness. Along the way, he finds happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day. Feb. 23-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26-27 at 2 p.m.

Romeo and Juliet is the well-known tale of an age-old vendetta between two powerful families that erupts into bloodshed when two young lovers defy their fathers and attempt to bridge the gap between them. April 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23-24 at 2 p.m.

Spring Dance 2022 is filled with inspired fresh choreographic works by faculty, guest artists and a selected student choreographer. The diverse works in ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary genres celebrate creative expression within the art form and the community. March 23-26 at 7:30 p.m. and March 26-27 at 2 p.m.

The Archie Burnette Studio Theatre presents Senior Choreography on April 30 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and May 1 at noon and 4 p.m.