Trying to talk to Coppell High School senior sports assignment editor Ava Johnson for the first time felt like having to perform in front of 300 people.

I was scared and intimidated, not because I thought she was going to yell at me or something, but it was because I was scared to talk to someone who was, in my eyes, the epitome of perfection.

Her solemn face made me think she would absolutely hate my bouncy personality, but little did I know she would match it so perfectly. Ava became someone I could talk to about absolutely anything. From the stupidest little interactions we would have with people, to personal problems and serious issues facing our lives: our conversations work every single part of my brain.

See, there’s this radiance that captures you when you look at Ava, but when you talk to her, it only gets so much better. Never have I ever talked to someone so intelligent and full of the right words. Even when we’re talking about normal things, she always phrases them in such a way that makes it sound so smart and natural.

Every time we find ourselves in a predicament, no matter what problem it pertains to, I always know I’m going to get the best advice from Ava. By starting off with a small rant in her car, we somehow find ourselves in an hour of nonstop blabber and in-depth analysis as I collect every ounce of wisdom I can.

The most notable thing about Ava, however, is that she cares so much. Not only with other people’s issues but with everything in general. She cares that I ate, or that we get food before coverage so I won’t be hungry while on the field. She cares that I get into my house safely, even if it’s just a dash from her car to my front door. She cares that if I’m with people I don’t know, I can always come to her after failing to make any new friends.

When someone is so beautiful, intelligent, kind and sophisticated, how could you not be scared to talk to them? But I am so glad I did.

Thank you AJ, for everything. Mizzou is lucky to have perfection strutting the halls of its school this fall.

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