Sports award certificate

Jonathan Johnson, Super Gas runner-up at this year's O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, has received the President's Volunteer Service Award for his more than 100 hours of volunteer work with the Race Against Drugs (RAD) program in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas. Johnson received a certificate from President George W. Bush's council on service and civic participation and a signed letter from the president.

In January 2002, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate over the course of their lives at least 4,000 hours to others at home or abroad.

Johnson, an artist and a third-year architecture student at Texas A&M University, has taken his Super Gas Firebird to elementary schools, the Southeast Texas State Fair, and Boy Scouts of America functions, where he handed out racing-themed coloring books geared toward children in kindergarten through the fifth grade. Johnson drew many of the cars in the book, which features various types of race car, including his and friend Erica Enders' Super Gas Corvette. Enders, who will drive a Pro Stock car for Victor Cagnazzi next season, defeated Johnson in the Houston final round.

"I think it's pretty neat," said Johnson, a former Division 4 Jr. Dragster champion. "I didn't expect anything when I started doing the program. I just enjoyed it, and I've been able to use my drawing talents in the coloring book."

Copyright National Hot Rod Association Aug 6, 2004
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