To those who don’t know Derrel Johnson, he may seem like an ordinary tech student, but he’s driven to go above and beyond to win this competition, especially after losing the title of homecoming king to fellow Mr. Norristown contestant Jahir Ramirez earlier in the school year.
“My competitive side won’t let me lose again, so I have to win,” he said. “I can’t be beaten by Jahir again. So it’s motivation.”
Johnson heard about Mr. Norristown during his sophomore year and has been intrigued by it ever since. From that day forward, he knew that Mr. Norristown wouldn’t just be a competition, he wanted to win but one from which he would create new memories he’d never forget.
Johnson describes himself as an energetic, loud, and sensible, person who can talk to anyone about anything; this doesn’t only apply to his peers but also his teachers. English teacher, Maria Loebig, described him as “positive,” “amiable,” and “down-to-earth.”
“Derrel is one of the rare personalities in this school who can seamlessly navigate conversations with the adults and students alike,” said social studies teacher Joseph Boxman. “He seems to be liked by everyone he comes into contact with, and he brings a positive energy and enthusiasm to the hallways and classrooms in this building.”
Ever since Johnson was young, he knew he was a competitive person.
“I would always play board games with my sisters, and at first I didn’t really care, but then they kind of rubbed it in my face a lot.’ So now I wanna win,’ and it developed from there,” he said.
Johnson has always been fascinated by the kitchen from a very young age. When Johnson first started tech school, he studied culinary arts but eventually moved over to the bakery/pastry section of the program. This then led him to find his real passion and love for pastries. by watching TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen with his mom but specifically, Johnson became inspired by the show’s host Gordon Ramsey.
“It was his personality; the constant yelling at people, and I always thought it was funny, but he looks like he puts care and passion into his food,” he said.
Although being in the kitchen is Johnson’s main focus, it isn’t his only passion. Over the years, his fondness for books and reading have soared. He started reading not just in school but also in his spare time with the help and persistence of his mother.
“My mom would always help me practice reading, and at first, I didn’t really care to read, but she made me consistently do it, and it kind of made me interested in it,” Johnson said, “So reading is just special to me.”
Although Johnson is confident in his performance, he can spot competition when he sees it. He believes he’s in for a tough competition but is up for the challenge. For Johnson it’s not just about winning; it’s about the experiences and the lasting memories this journey will create. He wants it to be a memorable experience for not only him but for everyone that’s involved.
“I will put 100% effort into my performance, and I wanna make sure it’s amazing, and I will go above and beyond into my performance,” said Johnson.