On August 16, 2008, in Modesto, California, a baby named Vivian K. Johnson came into the world. From the moment she was born, she felt a connection to nature. Her family moved to South Dakota when she was still little, but the moment she set foot into the Great Plains, she knew she was home. When Vivian was little, she would fearlessly venture out to the farm field to play with the cows and enjoy the great outdoors. Her incessant need to be outside earned her the nickname ‘The Barn Princess’.
As she grew up, she discovered her passion for cow showing. Currently, Vivian works as the Head Herd and Barn Manager for Scholtz Cattle Company, where she takes care of the cows and keeps them safe and comfortable. Her favorite part of her job is naming the cows. Vivian is also an active member of her school and community through her various activities, such as National Honor Society and Student Council. She also shows great success in her school’s FFA club, earning first place for English Continental Heifer for FFA and earning FFA Grand Champion Senior Showman for Cattle.
Vivian is also an avid reader who has read over 30 books this year alone. Vivian’s favorite subject is English, and she is actively taking an AP Literature course. Her love of literature stems from the knowledge that the problems she faces are universal. She says humanity has always struggled and every generation has fought for rights, representation, and love. She recommends reading at least 10 books a year. Vivian’s favorite book genre is romance, and her favorite book is White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Vivian wants to continue reading and showing cows in her future. She plans to attend Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University as an undergraduate in Agricultural Communication. She hopes to graduate and get a good job in agriculture. Someday, she wants to get married and raise children who will make the world a better place. When her children grow up, she will be an advocate for better standards in the show cow industry. All in all, Vivian loves to live on the edge and will likely keep chasing adventure and self-fulfillment for all her venturous days.