Raven Johnson has always been one to take charge. Before her friends even knocked on the door, the games were arranged, snacks were set out and music already playing in the background.
Johnson transitioned from childhood sleepovers to coordinating birthday parties, professional events and social outings.
“She was always the boss,” said her mother, Dominique Jones. “I’ve always taught her that whatever we do, we do it with excellence.”
That excellence followed her into college, where she represents Morgan State as Miss Freshman for the 2025–26 school year and holds the title of Miss Black Teen USA 2025.
“It’s a sport to me,” said Johnson, describing entering pageants as very difficult and mentally challenging which helped prepare her for college and all the roles she currently serves.
Her leadership extends beyond titles. Johnson recently placed third in the women’s pole vault at last week’s MEAC indoor track and field tournament.
She said her experience in pageants helped her with finding her role on the team as a freshman, as she’s constantly looking for ways to help that best benefit the team.
“It’s never really a dull moment when she comes around,” said David Douglas, a freshman teammate. “She always tries to see the positive in everything. Even when training is going bad, she’s always trying to make the atmosphere seem a lot better.”
Douglas said Johnson’s ability to impact the team as a freshman shows a certain level of “maturity” in her.
Johnson didn’t start competing in track and field until she was a high school sophomore at Emerson High in Dallas, her hometown. Even with her late entrance to the sport, Johnson was named a team captain after two weeks on the team.
She began with hurdles, then switched to pole vaulting, falling in love with the urgency of the sport.
“It was kind of like an adrenaline rush every time I grabbed that pole,” said Johnson. “Just trying to reach higher heights every time and that’s how I fell in love with pole vaulting.”
Johnson did reach new heights in her first collegiate season in the event. At the MEAC indoor championship, she cleared 9 feet, 10 inches to place third behind South Carolina State’s Angelina Stabile (11 feet, 5.75 inches) and Emma Svetiev of Norfolk State (10 feet, 10 inches).
Earlier in the season at the HBCU Showcase, she cleared 10 feet and finished second, but as the competition heads to the outdoor season, Johnson has her sights on a loftier goal.
“For outdoor [season], I’m coming for the gold at championships and I’m planning to jump over 11 feet,” said Johnson.
She’s not only reaching for higher heights in track but also in her role as Miss Freshman, as she prepares to run for Miss Sophomore.
“I am overly excited to go into the sophomore campaign season because people know me now,” said Johnson. “So now it’s going to be more of a test like, did you all appreciate my work as Miss Freshman?”
During her time as Miss Freshman, Johnson coordinated campus events, spoke on different panels, and even started a content series called ‘Miss Freshman Asks’, where she asks fun and interesting questions to different students on campus.
“She has to balance being a Division 1 athlete and a student leader, and I feel like she doesn’t really get as much credit for that as she deserves,” said Zaire Reid, who currently serves as Mister Freshman alongside Johnson.
Reid continued, “I think what she’s doing overall for the school with her events and [her] involvement on campus is just a positive image for our class and for Morgan State as a whole.”
