By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Taking a break from preparing breakfast during her food-and-nutrition class, Dyshelia Johnson settled in to talk about the Beaufort County Ed Tech Center.
A 16-year-old student at the school, Johnson is enthusiastic about the class.
“We just cooked a big breakfast — eggs, sausage, bacon, strawberries, pancakes, hash browns, omelets,” Johnson said. “There was a lot of stuff I didn’t know how to cook, but I do now.”
This is Johnson’s second semester in the class, the curriculum of which also includes information about food safety.
“Right now, we’re learning about the hand-washing process and foodborne illnesses,” she said.
Johnson and some of her fellow students are looking forward to helping cater the school’s spring concert, scheduled for May 20. They also helped with a similar event at Christmas.
During the holiday concert, Johnson was a leader in directing arrangements and organizing her peers in the catering operation, according to Toni L. Woolard, career-and-education teacher. The event was attended by about 130 people, including students, parents, staff and others connected with Beaufort County Schools.
“Dyshelia was valuable in food preparation, table set-up, decorating, serving, sanitation and cleanup,” Woolard said. “She not only did her part, but was able to guide other students in a management capacity. She was able to recognize tasks that needed to be completed without constant teacher/management direction and guidance.”
As much as she likes the food-and-nutrition class, Johnson said her favorite school subject is English.
“I like my English III online class,” she said. “It’s not as complicated as I thought it would be.”
Students who take online classes are usually self-starters, according to BCETC testing coordinator Lakisha Johnson.
“You have to have a level of discipline. It’s up to you,” she said.
Dyshelia Johnson, who said she considers herself a disciplined person, began attending BCETC during the 2008-2009 school year, and she’s found a second home there.
“I like the smaller environment. There aren’t as many distractions here,” she said. “And I’ll be able to graduate earlier.”
“She is an outstanding young woman,” Woolard said. “I have seen many examples of her talent and have been impressed by her diligence and work ethic.”
Woolard said Johnson is known for her organizational skills and ability to complete multiple tasks with good results. She works well with other students and isn’t fazed by the pressure of deadlines.
“Dyshelia displays a high level of intrinsic motivation and is able to motivate others in her peer group, therefore making her extremely useful in employment type situations,” Woolard said.
Johnson is looking for a job. She said she isn’t too picky.
“I just want any job that will pay,” she said with a smile.
Johnson works hard when it comes to school, and that effort has placed her in the top 3 percent at BCETC.
Looking ahead after high school, Johnson plans to attend college and become a registered nurse.
“It’s always been something I like to do. I like working with older people,” she said. “I used to go to with my mom when she worked at a nursing home in Greenville, and I’d volunteer. I’d like to volunteer at the hospital here in Washington.”
The daughter of Sharon Goddard of Washington, Johnson has two brothers, Raekwon and Frederick, and a sister, Dayonna. The family attends Washington Heights Church of God.