Louise R. Johnson Middle in Manatee County has an extra-special student this school year.
Amari Crockett, 11, is the great granddaughter of the woman the school is named after.
- Amari is proud to bring the connection to everyone's attention
- Student says she'd love to be a teacher one day, too
In 1992, Louise Johnson passed away. Two years later, Louise Johnson Middle was opened in East Bradenton.
Johnson taught for 42 years, 36 of which were spent in Manatee County. In 1977, Johnson became the first African-American appointed to the Manatee County school board.
"I remember the pride I felt, knowing that my grandmother, my little 5-foot-tall grandmother had this audience," said Johnson’s granddaughter, Michele Crockett.
Johnson spearheaded the free breakfast program many children use today.
Now, 22 years after the school's opening, Johnsons great granddaughter, Amari, joins the legacy.
"When I introduce myself, it’s like, ‘Hi I’m Amari. Oh by the way this is my great grandmothers school," Amari said with a smile.
While Amari never met her great grandmother, she says she wants to follow in her footsteps.
"My mom teaches now, so does my older sister, so it just kind of makes me shoot higher for that," said Amari.
This isn’t the first school named after this family. G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School was named after Amari's great-great grandfather.