When Johanna Henry ’26 steps into a leadership role, she brings more than just enthusiasm—she brings purpose. Elected Student Council President for her senior year, Johanna knows what it means to work for something and grow through it. After winning class president as a freshman and sophomore, she faced disappointment junior year when she didn’t earn the role she hoped for. Still, she showed up, served as a student council representative and ran again. This time, she won.
Johanna Henry ’26
“It meant so much because I almost didn’t run,” Johanna said. “But my friends believed in me and helped me every step of the way—they pushed me to go all in.”
She credits that group of close friends and family for helping her write speeches, distribute posters and rally support. “They reminded me that leadership means showing up even when it’s hard, and even when you're unsure of the outcome.”
Johanna’s campaign speech reflected that energy. Walking away from the microphone and podium, where her running mates spoke from, she stopped center stage in Stacy Auditorium and asked, “Can you hear me in the back?” and delivered the line that her friends and family insisted would seal her victory: “My friends told me not to run—but I don’t take no for an answer.”
Now, as a senior leader, Johanna wants to inspire others to find their voice, too. “I want to make sure students feel like they have a place to lead, even if they don’t think they’re the ‘type.’ I’d love to create more ways for students to be involved, especially freshmen or students who may not think they have a shot.”
Leadership, for Johanna, is as much about action as it is about awareness. “It’s knowing when to step up and when to step back,” she said. “Being effective means being able to adapt—whether that’s hyping up the student body or stepping in with strength when things need to get done.”
Johanna Henry ’26 competing in the Woodson Pool
Johanna’s leadership isn’t limited to student council. A lifelong swimmer who started at age three, she has also been an intern with a real estate development firm, a member of the three-year social entrepreneurship program and a teen ambassador for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, helping promote student engagement in the arts.
Her experience at Pine Crest has been central to her evolution as a leader. “I came here in first grade, and I was so shy,” Johanna said. “My teachers helped me come out of my shell. From there, I just kept growing.”
She’s quick to recognize how her support system has shaped her confidence, from her parents to her peers to faculty mentors like Mrs. Keri Kolettis, Vice President of Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, who encouraged her to break the mold and try new things. “I’ve learned not to take things too critically,” she said. “Losing a race or an election doesn’t mean I failed. My coaches, friends and family taught me to do things for myself and keep moving forward.”
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Johanna Henry ’26 and Lucia Lecour ’26
Johanna is already thinking about the impact she wants to leave behind. She’s hoping to create more leadership pathways for students and make student life more inclusive and collaborative. “I want to be the kind of leader who helps others find their place,” she said.
While the college application process has not yet begun for Johanna, her sights are set on an institution that prioritizes leadership development within its students.
Whether she’s leading in the classroom, on the swim team or on stage, Johanna Henry is showing her peers—and herself—what it means to lead with intention and heart.