Southlake’s Paige Johnson
University of Utah Pick

Carroll Senior High School student Paige Johnson of Southlake was recently awarded a full scholarship, signing with the University of Utah to play soccer. A lifelong Texan and sports enthusiast, Paige has been playing soccer since she was four years old. Reflecting on why she plays, Paige said, “I think throughout my years of playing soccer I have learned so much that I couldn’t have learned anywhere else. Playing soccer taught me to not focus on the individual, but on the team. I learned the value of hard work, the importance of striving for something, setting a goal and achieving it.”

A versatile athlete, Paige, 18, is tall, blonde and brimming with life. In addition to soccer she has swum, played basketball, danced competitively and currently runs track.

“You can learn so much from playing soccer,” said Paige, “like perseverance and dedication to something outside of yourself. A lot of kids aren’t giving themselves the chance to learn these things because they are obsessed with screens. It’s not healthy. There is so much I see that others do not understand. It’s important to be working on something. It can be hard work but it is worth it. I am grateful I stuck with soccer.”

It hasn’t always been easy. The sports world’s predilection for playing on Sundays directly challenges Paige’s Christian ideals about keeping the Sabbath day holy. “My religion definitely affects my soccer career,” said Paige, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “When I was little I made a pact with myself not to play on Sunday. It wasn’t always easy. I must have missed over 100 games and practices. As hard as it was, I have come to realize that not playing on Sunday has been a blessing in my life—a protection for me, really. Throuhgout my career, I haven’t had a lot of injuries and I think that is because not playing on Sunday allowed my body to rest and heal.”

Paige has some advice for kids. “It’s all about working hard. If you set your mind to do something, you can do it—not just in sports, but in every aspect of your life. It’s true! If you have a strong mindset and work hard, you can do anything!”

A member of the Southlake Ward, Paige is the daughter of Drew and Joanna Johnson.