Penny Johnson of Pocatello, Idaho remembers her Head Start teacher on an introductory home visit offering her the first of many choices she made on her road to success: what color her bear-shaped name-tag would be.

Penny chose yellow, and wore it each day with pride. She writes, “Head Start has always played a significant role in my life. I do believe the social skills, as well as cognitive skills I learned at such a young age, helped to dictate my future. Throughout my school years I accomplished many personal goals: class achievement awards, cheerleader for four years, Who’s Who Among American Women, National Honor Society, Freshman Class President, Senior Class President… As well, I participated in Business Professionals of America and 4-H. Upon graduating from high school, I continued my education, receiving an Associate’s Degree at the College of Southern Idaho and graduating from Abundant Life School of Ministry in La Marque, Texas.

Among other jobs, Penny worked as a Family Service Specialist for a Head Start Transition Program, which provided continuing support for a group of Head Start graduates through third grade. She also worked in the Twin Falls School District’s FAST program with children in grades K-12 with emotional disabilities. She later obtained her real estate license and became the coordinator for Real Estate and Homebuyer Education Classes at the College of Southern Idaho.

She and her husband are currently pastors at a new church they founded in Pocatello, the Redemption Christian Center. She speaks of how her experiences in Head Start allowed her to realize that her future is her choice. She writes, “I believe that my education and values have helped me to choose wisely. Today, I am grateful for the path my education has taken me on. It continues to encourage me to press onward.”