Rapid City Journal

“I love traveling to schools and talking to kids…” Johnson said Tuesday.  “I am not used to being that person (who is the center of attention). I remember being the elementary student or high school student who saw people come into our school and was star-struck.”

Many students in the St. Thomas More gymnasium were star-struck Tuesday, when the Olympic gold medalist made a surprise visit to their school. Johnson was in the city to promote the Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular, which will take place at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on Oct. 30.

The spectacular brings together top skaters and gymnasts with Olympic experience for a combination show of the two sports on the same floor. The event will take place on the ice arena floor with gymnasts including Nastia Liukin, Raj Bhavsar and Johnson, and figure skaters Elvis Stojko, Michael Weiss and Emily Hughes. Ashley Tisdale, of “High School Musical,” will perform at the show.

“We kind of do a little bit of everything, and I think we will be incorporating a little bit of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ with me,” said Johnson, who won the most recent season of the popular ABC TV show.

Johnson enjoyed her first experience in Rapid City when she took part in the Progressive event during the Christmas season last year.

“I loved it and I had a great time doing the show. I got to meet all the skaters and the musical act,” she said.

Posted in: Gymnastics, Press, Shawn Johnson |