Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson at the Bejing Olympics

Shawn Johnson was born on January 19th, 1992. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa. She was enrolled in gymnastics at age 3 after her parents noticed her climbing and jumping off cabinets. She went to public school through 2008 but finished up high school in Los Angeles, California with a private tutor. Shawn has a more balanced life than most female elite gymnasts. Shawn limited her gymnastics to 25 hours per week as opposed to the usual 40 hours a week. Shawn is very confident because she is not afraid to fail. She is also a very talented gymnast and she is a good influence.

Shawn Johnson is my hero because she is an inspiration to everyone. She is only 4 feet 9 inches and is an Olympic gold medalist. In the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing she won gold on the balance beam and she won silver for all around gymnastics and she won silver on her floor exercise. In the summer Olympics, Shawn competed in four events during the team competition. Shawn also has been involved with many charities. She has helped to raise awareness for cancer for the "What You Do Matters" campaign. She also partnered with Crest toothpaste and handed out free toothpaste to low-income people. Shawn definitely tries to make a difference in the world.

Shawn Johnson helped make a difference in the world. She partnered up with Ashton Krutcher and they helped rebuild areas damaged by flooding in Shawn's home state of Iowa. Shawn also donated 50,000 dollars from an appearance on ABC Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Shawn has also been featured on Coca Cola and McDonald’s cups.

Shawn Johnson, born in Des Moines, Iowa, led the 2008 US Olympic team to a silver medal. She also won a gold medal on the balance beam. She supports many charities such as raising money to help breast cancer. Shawn also plans to compete in the summer 2012 Olympics. She is my hero because although she was only 4 feet 9 inches, she won a gold medal doing something she loved. She finally worked her way up from junior elite to an elite female gymnast.

Sources:

• http://pictures.thaindian.com/d/2667-2/Shawn-Johnson-82459093.jpg

• http://www.shawn-johnson.org/quotes-and-inspiration.html

• Johnson, Shawn. Charities. Home page. © 2010. 4 March 2011 http://www.shawnjohnson.net/

• “Shawn Johnson.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.,. 1 March 2011. 4 March 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Johnson

• “Gymnast: Shawn Johnson.” About.com. ©2011. 8 march 2011 http://gymnastics.about.com/od/gymnastics101/p/shawnjohnson.htm