Frank W. Ballou High School

Biography

The Life of Tamia D. Johnson

16 Years of sheer “Beauty”, Tamia D. “MIA” Johnson was born on October 1, 2000 in Washington, DC; Columbia Hospital for Women.  Tamia at 19 inches long was always inspired to be famous.  I started school in Pre K 3 at James G.  Birney Elementary School at the beginning of Kindergarten   I attended Savoy Elementary for one year and transferred to Prince Georges County Public Schools. In fourth grade I played on the Imagine Lincoln PCS basketball team and was the only girl to play the Baritone in the stage band.   I developed an Individual Education Plan in grade 5 to better assist me with my studies.  My parents have always kept me involved in many activities that would keep me busy and engaged.  They always say staying busy and involved will keep you out of trouble.

 

In the sixth grade I attended Benjamin Stoddert Middle School until 8th grade.  My years in middle school were horrible even though I continued to make Honor Roll, Cheered on the competitive team, played soccer, and served on the Community Service Team.  Upon graduating and attending my middle school dance I was voted best dressed and “Queen”, but to be told after the dance was over.  At my graduation even though I was on Honor Roll I received no awards or acknowledgements.

 

 

Being raised in a Muslim home is kind of hard when you have so many questions coming from your peers because they don’t understand and because some of them don’t have two family households.  My religious teachings are to believe that “ALLAH” is first and there is no other to compare to ALLAH (GOD).  I started practicing Ramadan if full in 2014 full garments and the days of not eating until the sunset; my mom always said the completion of Ramadan will rein blessings.

 

In 2015 I started my 1st summer job with the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program at a church as a model where I became friends with a senior from F.W. Ballou Senior High School.  She invited me to come and tryout for “Verge Models” Ballou High School team for the summer model call and I made the team, excited was I.  I started 9th grade at F. W. Ballou Sr. High school and continued to model as the youngest member and it was an amazing feeling.  While modeling for Ballou I maintained a 3.0, danced, modeled and participated in many recreation activities with The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. 

 

The summer of 2016 I worked my 2nd Summer Program at the Barry Farm Recreation center under a dance program.  This program I loved because I have been dancing with the LGBTQ community since I was 8 years old.  My parents have always exposed me to all walks of life in their continued efforts in teaching me not to judge and to accept those that want to be accepted.  I never knew what it meant when my mom said Ramadan will rein blessings until Saturday October 1, 2016 when I celebrated my sweet 16th birthday in a suite at the Marriot Renaissance Hotel and October 8, 2016, I won the title of Ballou Miss BLUE & GOLD.  This was one of the happiest days of my life.  The big question of the evening for me was what do you see when you look in the mirror? I stated “ I am pretty, beautiful, I go to school every day, I make good grades, I’m beautiful, I smile and I’m beautiful…Every-day”.  I have no choice but to feel this way with the help and support I receive from Allah, my family and peers.