Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Cameron Johnson has been named a 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.
“Being named a Silver Scholar means a lot to me,” said Johnson. “I honestly didn’t think that I would win a scholarship this huge in my college journey.”
“I give all the glory and honor to God for this blessing. I’m truly thankful for this scholarship,” he added.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Nominated for the academic team by their college administrators based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service, each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in local and statewide ceremonies. International recognition will occur April 3-5 at the Phi Theta Kappa honor society’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Kansas City, Mo.
Johnson, a Hampton resident and PTK president at VPCC, admits the process was rigorous, particularly completing the fall application on time and writing required essays.
“There certainly were some challenges along the way, some bumps in the road. The significant endeavor essay was a huge task and the founder’s mental competition essay. There were things I was trying to say, and I was making sure I was really getting my point across,” said Johnson, a 2022 Kecoughtan High School graduate. “Also just making sure things were completed the way they were required. Those were the major challenges.”
The reward was worth the effort for Johnson as the scholarship will help further his aims. He’s on track to graduate from VPCC in May with an Associate of Science degree in Liberal Arts and plans on transferring to Old Dominion University to seek a bachelor’s degree in music. While a music-related career is a main goal, he hopes to explore work dedicated to revitalizing abandoned buildings.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve seen abandoned buildings and thought they could be transformed into something useful … We can use buildings for original or new purposes to bring communities together,” he mused.
Johnson pointed out his love of music influenced his major. He’s a skilled vocalist, trombone player, keyboardist and music mashup artist. He wanted to explore growing those and other musical abilities.
“In liberal arts, there are a lot of cool courses I’m exposed to and can take. Music, which I truly love, is one of them,” he said.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Johnson makes time for service. On campus, he participates in Gator Zone (formerly The Shop), the Student Ambassadors program and TRiO. In the community, he’s an usher at his church and volunteers in its programs like “Dinner with Christ,” which provides meals and moral support for those facing food insecurity during the holidays.
Strong faith and deep appreciation for his family guide Johnson.
“My parents (Reggie and Karen), my close family, and the faculty and staff here at the College keep me on track,” he said.
“But most of all, I give all the credit to God. My faith in Jesus Christ truly motivates me … I can’t make it through each day without prayer and a relationship with God,” he added, emphasizing his grandmother, Lillian Martin, nurtures his spiritual growth, ensuring he stays grounded in faith.
As his time at the College winds down, he reflects on the faculty and staff members who have inspired and supported him.
“There are a lot of people who have really taken care of me in my educational walk. I’m so grateful for them all,” said Johnson, mentioning faculty and staff members Michelle Dean, Linda Dunn, Anthony Fotinos, Adrianna Hardage, Lynsey LeMay, Kwisuk McDonald, Sylvain Poosson, Hannah Powers, Amanda Rausch, and Natasha Woods for teaching everything from Psychology and Spanish to providing advising in areas like PTK and TRiO.
Johnson has been working part-time at the College since November 2024. He also thanked his supervisor, Eric Pesola, and the Marketing & College Relations team for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.