On Thursday afternoon, a road at the front of Midland Valley High School’s campus was dedicated to Sarah Johnson, who has dedicated many years of her life to the public schools of the Midland Valley area.
Johnson was unaware of the road being named after her until she helped remove the cover from the sign.
When Johnson was asked if she had any idea the road was going to be named after her, she laughed and said, “no, gracious no! I probably would have went out of town!”
She added: “It is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened in my life … I just couldn’t believe it … this is the biggest honor I [have] ever had in my life. Because I love all the people of the Valley.”
Johnson has been a member of the Area Three Advisory Council for Aiken County Public Schools, which includes the elementary, middle and high schools in the Midland Valley area, since 1976. Over the last 48 years, Johnson has served as an officer in every position.
Dwight Smith, an Aiken County Public School District board member representing area three schools, has known Johnson since childhood and has worked with her on the Area Three Advisory Council for nearly 50 years.
“She’s just a very special lady,” said Smith. “She gives her all in anything she does and she loves our Valley and she loves this high school, and we love her.”
Johnson said that if she could say anything to the students of Area Three, it would be to “listen to your teachers, don’t get on the computer, you need to be active in sports, band, whatever you like to do. You can get out there and do it and help the school.”
