Wells Johnstone

Relentless Focus Gets This Athlete Closer to Her Dreams

Wells Johnstone started ringing bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas time when she was just three years old. Ever since, she’s had a passion for giving back. As a junior, she planned a service project to support the Dream Center, an organization that provides shelter to victims of abuse and their children. She volunteers her time to tutor peers and she works with her church’s youth group. Ever since she can remember, Wells has been focused on one day providing the ultimate service by becoming a U.S. Navy fighter pilot.

It’s that life goal that has driven Wells to excel in all areas of her life. Not only is she the valedictorian of her class, she’s also a member of the school’s Academic Decathlon team. And despite losing their teacher and coach to a back injury junior year, Wells and her team resolved to study harder on their own. They ultimately took second place in the United States Academic Decathlon national competition—an experience that solidified for Wells that she could achieve anything through hard work and dedication.

She shows that same drive in her sports. As a swimmer and runner, she gets up before the sun every day to practice. She finds ways to get in her workout no matter what: One summer when there was no pool available for use, Wells swam in an outdoor pond. Her perseverance has resulted in school records in swimming, cross country, and track and field, as well as taking 8th place in the 500-yard freestyle at the Tennessee state championship. More importantly, it has helped get Wells closer to her ultimate dream. In the fall, Wells intends to swim for the United States Naval Academy, where she has been accepted and will take the next steps toward becoming the fighter pilot she has committed to be.