THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 19, 1994 TAG: 9408180076
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GROOVY SAPIEN
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
WITH LOVES SUCH AS Frank Sinatra, ``The Ed Sullivan Show'' and preppy clothes, 18-year-old Jeremy Johnson swears he was born in the wrong decade.
``You can't beat the classics,'' said Jeremy, a freshman at James Madison University.
Jeremy's reverence for vintage culture, historical events and the good ol' days has inspired him to write a variety of short stories and poetry about America's roots. One of his works, ``Triumphant,'' was recently published in the National Library of Poetry's ``Great Poets of 1994,'' a collection of the nation's best verse.
``Triumphant'' is a short satirical poem about a warrior's triumph in what he calls ``mid-evil'' times. Its message is that violence hasn't changed since the medieval era. In 500 years, people haven't changed, said Jeremy, weapons have only become more advanced.
A tie collector and computer lover, Jeremy hopes to become a high school Russian teacher.
Full name: Jeremy Caleb Johnson
Birthdate: February 12, 1976
Birthplace: Portsmouth Naval Hospital
Siblings: One sister, Karlyn, age 6
Education: 1994 graduate of Kellam High School; freshman at James Madison University
What is your idea of a perfect day off: Home alone with my computer
Last smart thing you did: Invested in a CD (certificate of deposit, not compact disc)
Last dumb thing you did: I didn't go to my senior prom
Favorite meal: Grandma's fried chicken and corn bread
Favorite movies: ``Dave'' and ``Philadelphia''
Favorite song: Tony Bennett's ``They Can't Take That Away From Me''
Favorite singer/band: Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis
Last book read: I'm working on ``The Autobiography of Roy Cohn''
Hobbies: Writing, collecting neckties, my computer, Russian stuff
Best date you've been on: Went out to eat with a good friend
Worst date you've been on: Junior ring dance
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: I wouldn't be so nit-picky
If you could change one thing about your parents, what would it be?: For them to be more open-minded and accepting.
Secret vice: Dunking chocolate chip cookies in milk
Favorite restaurant: Wendy's
Favorite place to shop: J.C. Penney
Your favorite night out on the town: Movies with a friend
Favorite TV shows: ``The Late Show with David Letterman,'' ``Whose Line is it Anyway?'' and ``The Dick Van Dyke Show''
Last vacation: I flew down to Orlando for spring break
Pets: Isaac, age 1, feline
Best job: J.C. Penney Co.
Worst job: Working for a teacher outside of school
What achievements are you most proud of?: Being published nationally
What would you like to be in 10 years?: I'll aim at just being 10 years older (but I'd really like to be a teacher).
If you could change one thing in america, what would it be and why?: Improved education system; more desire among young people to learn; knowledge is power
Heroes and role models: Paul E. Johnson, Great American (he's also my grandpa)
Your most unique trait: I am always looking to help
Best subject: Russian
Worst subject: Math (ugh!) ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHARLIE MEADS/Staff
The collector and computer lover Jeremy Johnson hopes to become a
high school Russian teacher.
by CNB