“I am not a girl who likes surprises, but this was a surprise I was really happy to have,” said Johanna Matota ’26.
During Christmas break, the University of Dayton (UD) awarded Matota the W.S. McIntosh Memorial Leadership Award. This award, which honors the legacy of Dayton civil rights leader W.S. McIntosh, includes a full-ride scholarship to the University of Dayton and a paid internship with the city of Dayton.
Matota admitted, “I was in shock because I thought I was going for another interview. I am very honored to carry on Mr. McIntosh’s legacy. It was great to be supported and seen in this way.”
The award commemorates W. Sumpter McIntosh, a civil rights activist who was instrumental in the opening of the Dayton branch of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and served as its executive director. He organized peaceful protests against discriminatory hiring practices in Dayton. He died in 1974 while trying to prevent a robbery in downtown Dayton.
Presented annually to a graduating senior who lives in or attends a school in Dayton, the award recognizes candidates who demonstrate a commitment to social justice and community leadership. According to UD, Matota was selected because she is a researcher, community servant, and one of the founders of CJ’s BAMM (Black Alliance Making Moves), a Black student club. Matota’s motivation as a leader is to enrich all the communities with which she is involved.
“I specifically want to get involved in order to create an environment where everyone feels welcome,” said Matota. “To create change, one must step up and find ways to make our communities better.”
UD’s award announcement mentions Matota’s volunteering at local food pantries and completing an Urban Plunge service experience in Cincinnati, where she served in soup kitchens and homeless shelters. It also cited her winning an award for her research through the Horizons in Medicine program at Wright State University. These are just the tip of the iceberg of her accomplishments.
At CJ, Matota has been on the honor roll consecutively. She established the Servant Leadership Award based on continuous leadership in the school community, as nominated by teachers. She participated in OSU’s Buckeye Leadership Academy, a competitive program for high-achieving students, and was selected to attend Aileron Student Leadership Summit, a leadership development training and college prep summit. She received the Ann Szabo Scholarship Award and the Dayton Community Service Award for her countless hours of service.
Matota’s list of leadership roles includes serving as the National Honor Society secretary, the president of BAMM, an Eagle Ambassador, Eagle Messenger editor for CJ’s student newspaper, a LIFE (Living in Faith Experience) leader with CJ’s ministry and service, and a CJ United neighborhood leader. She served on the Senior Events and Activities Teams (SEAT) and Junior Council of World Affairs (JCOWA). She organized fundraisers for those recovering from the 2023 Maui wildfire and helped raise funds for the Sisters of Notre Dame du Namur’s clean water project as part of a Lenten mission drive. She also works at Best Buy and was a CJ cheerleader for two years.
“Johanna stands out as a compassionate and driven individual who possesses a rare combination of empathy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to creating positive change,” said Peyton Keys, student activities coordinator.
Matota plans to continue working in health care and community wellness after CJ.
“After college, I want to be a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine,” said Matota. “I want to make healthcare more accessible to people by providing health literacy, especially in impoverished communities.”
Maura Lemon, her science teacher, said, “Johanna is a delight to teach because she radiates engagement from the moment she walks into class. She is not only resilient but also thrives under difficult circumstances. Like trees exposed to wind in their adolescence that learn to expand their root system to deal with future storms, with every challenge she encounters, Johanna has reached outward for the support of her community and inward for strength and fortitude.”
“CJ has had a significant impact on my formation as a person by giving me many opportunities to engage in social justice work,” said Matota. “This is something that I care deeply about. It drives my actions because it is rooted in my faith. I serve so others can thrive.”
“Johanna’s dedication and passion make her a standout student,” said Beth Marshall, English teacher. “She expects a lot of herself, and she has the academic acumen to reach her lofty goals. UD is lucky to have her on campus, as she is sure to succeed there and in all of her future endeavors.”
Matota’s advice for younger students, “Don’t be afraid to speak up. Don’t be afraid to make your own way if there is something you want done, especially if it hasn’t already been done before. Don’t be afraid to be the first.”
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award,” said Lemon. “Johanna will thrive at the University of Dayton. She is a model of the Marianist Charisms and values community. I am so incredibly excited for her.”
Matota is the daughter of Stacy Cameron and Jo Matota. She is a graduate of Mother Brunner Grade School.
Watch a video of her receiving the news at UD here.