Elyse Johnson
Kirksville, Missouri
Class of 2024
Why did you chose Central?
I chose Central because I decided to come on a scholar day to check it out. I didn’t tell coach Czipri, so I wouldn’t have to do an overnight visit with the team, but she saw I was coming and got me to anyways. I felt right at home immediately with all of the staff and all of the girls on the team!
Favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor is probably Ally Krogstad. I’ve taken a class with her almost every semester I have been at Central and she does an amazing job at explaining Spanish concepts when they are confusing or unclear.
You’re majoring in political science and Spanish because?
They are two areas of interest for me when I came into college and love to be able to connect with people from different cultures and areas.
Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?
I have done a couple different study abroad programs through Central. I went to Guatemala last summer with the Spanish department and spent the spring semester in Spain! I am also a Spanish Lab Assistant for the Spanish Department where I get to plan speaking activities for Spanish classes.
Who are your go-to musical artists?
Since I haven’t moved on from my middle school days, I love listening to Taylor Swift, One Direction (plus their new solo work), 5 seconds of Summer. I’ll listen to pretty much anything though!
How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?
Central Volleyball has made me enjoy the process of hard work and gave me some of the best friends I could ask for. I have become much more organized and had to work on my leadership skills quite a bit.
Teammate who could do the best on America’s Got Talent
Unfortunately, I’m not sure anyone on our team would do well on America’s Got Talent. Maybe Gracie Pierson could do a gymnastics routine though!
Favorite Central tradition?
I love the Block Party (Luau) since its like a celebration of the end of preseason for us. We have our own Central Volleyball traditions with it and we really use it as a time to bond before our season gets going.
Best part of studying abroad?
I loved being able to travel around Europe! Not only did I visit Spain, but I went to the Netherlands, France, England, Ireland, and Italy. Learning Spanish was also an awesome opportunity. The program had teachers from the area who took us on field trips and taught us a lot of the culture of Spain. I went to orchards to read poetry, made classic Spanish dishes, and visited almost every museum in my city!
If you could master one skill that you don’t have right now what would it be?
If I could master one skill, it would be the ability to cook. Living on my own abroad showed me I could use a quite a bit of work in that area. I need to expand from boiling pasta and making quesadillas.
Favorite TV Show
I love most comedy shows like Parks and Recreation or the office. My go to right now is either Modern Family, Gilmore Girls, or Reba.
What’s it like to play for Coach Czipri
Coach Czipri does a great job at getting the girls to work hard and be dedicated. We always use game like drills to get better which makes practice really fun! She is amazing at caring for the girls as people more than players and I always know she wants the best for us.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of the Central volleyball team?
I love the environment of hard work and the connection that all of the girls have. We get to do a lot of fun things, like go to the City Museum in St. Louis. I also love all of the food options I have gotten to try from traveling. We usually eat pretty good on the road.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I hope to be married with a family working at a job I enjoy! I hope I am able to travel more and maybe knock a few more countries off of my bucket list.
Favorite food from Central Market
My favorite meal from the Market is probably the CTO BLTs or tortellini bar. My favorite part of the market is the definitely desert bar. I love fresh cookie Tuesday’s, fruity pebble bars, the cheesecake and tollhouse bars.
Bucket list
1. See Taylor Swift
2. Visit Madrid and Barcelona
3. Go sky diving
4. Hike in Colorado
