As Sophia Johnson walks through the halls of Benton Grade School, she does so with a smile and an energy that suggests she has found her place. Now a sixth grader, Sophia is one of those students who seems to always be moving—whether it’s heading to cheer practice, playing with her younger siblings, or snapping photos in the backyard with her mom’s old camera. She only joined the district last year, but in that short time, she has already woven herself into the fabric of the school community.

“I like it here a lot better than my old school,” Sophia admitted, her honesty shining through as she reflected on her move from a nearby school to Benton. “At my old school, people would bully me. Here, I have real friends.”

Born in California in 2014, Sophia moved to Southern Illinois when she was just four years old. Most of her childhood memories are rooted here, and after several years at another school, she entered Benton for fifth grade. Adjusting to a new school can be intimidating, but Sophia quickly learned that Benton would be different. “I was nervous at first,” she said. “It was scary because I didn’t know anyone.” What eased the transition were a few familiar faces from her competitive cheer team, Snow Power. Friends like Klara Fernandez and Hannah Morgan were already here, and those connections gave Sophia the courage to settle in with confidence. Soon, she found herself surrounded by new friends and supported by caring teachers.

Sophia comes from a close-knit family. She is the oldest of three, with a seven-year-old brother, Mattis, who is in first grade, and a two-year-old sister, Layla. At home, she often plays the role of helper and entertainer, finding joy in playing photographer as she directs her siblings in the backyard. “My mom has this old camera, and I like to play photographer,” she said. “I’ll make my brother and sister go out there and pose.”

Her parents also shape her world. Her mom works in hospice care, while her dad serves as a corrections officer at the federal prison in Marion. Sophia is proud of their hard work, and it’s easy to see where she gets her sense of responsibility and determination.

In the classroom, Sophia is clear about what she enjoys. “Math and language are my favorites,” she said, her eyes lighting up as she talked about problem-solving and writing. Reading, on the other hand, has been more of a challenge. “Sometimes it’s hard to figure out the details they ask for in the questions,” she explained. Still, Sophia is the kind of student who doesn’t give up easily, and her persistence shows.

Sixth grade has also brought changes in the way classes are structured. Unlike fifth grade, where students moved as a group, Sophia now shifts classrooms and classmates throughout the day. “In one class I’ll be with my friends, and then another class I won’t,” she said. “It’s different, but I’m getting used to it.” Her favorite part of the day? “Language,” she answered quickly. But recess still holds a special place in her heart. Whether she’s playing volleyball, hanging from the monkey bars, or kicking a ball with friends, Sophia makes the most of every break.

Sophia is deeply involved in cheerleading, both at school and with her competitive team. At Benton, she is part of the cheer squad, and with Snow Power she participates on two teams—one where she serves as a base and another where she’s a flyer. Being lifted and thrown high in the air might sound intimidating, but Sophia isn’t fazed. “It’s a little scary, but not really,” she said. “I have people I trust, and I know they won’t drop me.”

Outside of school and cheer, Sophia dreams about the future. She sees herself working in a helping profession one day, maybe as a nurse or even a veterinarian. “I want to help people and pets,” she explained. She has also considered becoming a teacher—specifically a math teacher. “I’d want to teach sixth-grade math,” she said with a grin. “It’s easy, and I want to teach hard math, too.”

Ask Sophia to describe her “perfect day” at school, and she’s quick to design her dream schedule: a 10 a.m. start, math and language in the morning, lunch, a two-hour recess, and then a bit of reading before wrapping up with even more recess. On a day off, her imagination turns to late mornings, big breakfasts, time with friends, and even a trip to the spa for soft hair, polished nails, and a relaxing head massage. It’s a whimsical vision, but it says a lot about Sophia. She knows how to balance fun with responsibility, how to care for others and still dream for herself.