Waterside Class of 2007

Jessica Johnson

Syracuse University

  • When asked about Jessica Johnson, her fourth-grade teacher remembers a child whose self-assured nature was remarkable for someone so young. “Her innate sparkle, her confidence and her smile always lit up the room.” Now that smile appears on millions of televisions and digital platforms, as Jessica works as a reporter and multimedia journalist for Eyewitness News in Buffalo. Jessica has always been a storyteller. Writing was her favorite subject at Waterside, and she gravitated toward English and Communication classes at Sacred Heart Greenwich. She went on to attend the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University – during her time there she interned at Bloomberg News as well as NBC’s The Today Show.

    Although she enjoyed working behind the scenes, Jessica always knew she wanted to be the one telling the stories, which is why she jumped at the opportunity to become a reporter.  “What I love most about my job is that every day is so different.  One day I’m shining light on a story of life’s challenges and the next day I’m at a Bills game!  And, while some days are more exhausting than others, each day is fulfilling.”  Jessica generously shares the credit for her success with The School: “I am forever thankful for the two-class elementary school located inside a church for changing my life.”