Imahni Johnson has an art portfolio that is so full of drawings she cant even close it. Ask her where she stores her art and shell simply say, Wherever it fits. She used to hang them on her wall, but now that she has no wall space or room in her portfolio, she stuffs them in bags and keeps it in her bedroom. Shes constantly drawing and sketching, and is always thinking of new things to draw. If I see something I like, Ill draw it and then add something to it. She says. As a 13 year old shes gone through various interests in art. Once in love with portraits, she has found a passion with abstract design. She enjoys drawing landscapes with a twist and making it random. After drawing trees from McCoy Park, she is now getting into caricatures and cartoon images. Imahni finds interesting things to draw all over New Columbia and says Anything and everything can inspire me. A truck can be inspiring. Imahni says even though art is her first love, she also enjoys jazz dance, and volunteering at University Park Community Center working with the little kiddos. Although she loves abstract art, her dream job is to put her talent to work and become an architect. She and her family have lived at New Columbia for almost 3 years and enjoy growing up in the community. Imahnis parents, Raul and Catrice Alleyne, say they are grateful for the free activities that occur here, like the games and snacks in the Pocket Parks. Catrice and her kids go every week, and while her youngest two, Jaylin and Gabe, play on the playground, Imahni sits in the shade and sketches in her drawing book. To see one of Imahnis drawings, swing by the Community Building Office at 4625 N Trenton, where it is framed on the wall.

“You really have to concentrate on the game, focus on the game. Your thumb is like a steering wheel for the ball. I know this because this is my sport; bowling is my sport.”

It sure is. A former resident of Columbia Villa and current resident of New Columbia, Linda Dougherty recently won the gold medal for bowling in the Oregon State Special Olympics. Proudly wearing her medal around her neck, she explains how this prize became hers. I started bowling for fun in 1992, and I met a lot of people at Powell Lanes who did Special Olympics. I started doing that and found it really relaxing. The Special Olympics committee picks 100 people to bowl in the local tournament and the top people get to go to state. I took 3rd place at that local tournament. You get to bowl three games in the state tournament and thats where I got this, Linda said, beaming proudly. Linda looks forward to September, October and November because this is when she gets to go bowling.

“I’d bowl all year if I could. Not only is Linda a gold medalist for the Special Olympics, but she is an avid gardener with Seeds of Harmony and enjoys talking with her neighbors. I love it here. This is my home.”

In late January, at the end of her middle school grading period, Dijhena walked in the New Columbia Community Building Office. She said hello to Ashley Brown, who is not only a role model for Dijhena, but for many other teen girls in New Columbia. Ashley leads CREW, a youth empowerment program for teen girls and boys. After Ashley gave her a hug and asked how classes were going, Dijhena proudly pulled out her honor roll certificate! Dijhena stated she received a 3.87 grade point average this semester. Dijhena not only thinks about working hard in school, but is already planning for her future. I want to be a college professor, she says while she carefully tucks the honor roll certificate back into her backpack. English is my favorite subject, so I want to be an English professor. Dijhena attributes her academic success to her family. My grandmother, aunts, mom and sister support me. I know that all of my family members have a job, and its my job to study hard and do well so I can get a scholarship to help pay for college. Dijhena is not only active in the classroom, but knows the importance of taking an active role in her community. She helps with the distribution of the New Columbia Neighbor community newsletter, organizing the summer concerts in the park, CREW Academy fundraisers and various projects to help New Columbia. She is highly engaged when she is in CREW. Shes open, honest and willing to talk about topics we cover. Way to go, Dijhena, we are proud of you!

As an 8th grader at Clarendon at Portsmouth, Libon runs with New Columbia Community Builder, Molly Gray every Thursday as part of a Running Club. Each week the youth meet Molly on the playground and run for 25 minutes during their lunch recess. The youth who attended the 3.1 mile race are Running Club regulars. Although Libon took first in the race, he’s setting his sights on something else. I want to run the mile, and I also want to try out for basketball. Look out Roosevelt Roughriders, you’ve got a solid athlete coming your way.