From drug and alcohol abuse help to ancient Native American remedies, Zelma Johnson '89 of Latrobe provides help to others.
Johnson works in therapeutic staff support for the Pressley Ridge Schools, as a crisis worker at a Mental Health Crisis Intervention Hotline, and also serves as a herbalist for the United Eastern Indian Alliance, and as Nation's Wolf Clan mother for the United Eastern Lenape Nation.
She received her degree in Rehabilitative Sciences with a concentration in substance abuse. She also has 18 credits in special education and concentrates in psychology and art. She worked for one year as a drug and alcohol counselor, two years with special needs/at risk children in foster care, continues at a crisis hotline where she has been employed since 1993, and joined Pressley Ridge Schools, Greensburg, in May 1996.
"I work with special needs children in the home," she explains. "I also work with the family in learning how to deal with the particular needs of the child. I try to get these children out weekly for some type of activity."
Looking at her job experiences, Johnson says, "Clarion definitely prepared me for this field. I've talked to people who have masters degrees and they are shocked about what I learned as an undergraduate at Clarion."
Johnson, who married William Griffith in June 1996, has two children, Thomas Martin Jr., now attending the Pittsburgh Technical Institute, and Amanda Martin, a high school senior, and a foster child, Richard. She has used her Clarion education to help her at home.
"My son has a learning disability," she says. "I applied what I learned at Clarion to help prepare him for life. Now he is in college. My degree helped make me a better parent and helped me prepare to work in human services."
In addition to her family and work, Johnson is active with the United Eastern Indian Alliance, an affiliate of a nationwide organization, United Eastern Lenape Nation, open to anyone interested in preserving the Native American way of life. Johnson, who has Seneca heritage on both sides of her family, has two appointed positions, as an herbalist since 1994 and the nation's Wolf Clan mother since 1996.
"I can mix herbs and other natural items for cures for common problems," explains Johnson. "There are many common plants that can help alleviate problems. I make a lot of teas, salves, and ointments. I am always trying to learn more about these natural cures."
As the clan mother, Johnson's duties are to support other women in the clan and help to resolve disputes.
Johnson and other group members do many Native American living history presentations each year in nearby communities and surrounding schools. At most of them they set up a lodge, more commonly known as a tepee, and are attired in authentic Native American dress. "We promote information about the difficulty of life on the reservation for many Native Americans," she says. "We also do crafts in the spirit of the Native American way and explain traditions."
Johnson has found her Native American background useful in her therapy work. "The Native American way of life is much calmer and more spiritual," she says. "I have learned relaxation techniques which help me be more relaxed, making me a better person. The Native American traditions go hand-in-hand with my beliefs and how I want to live."
Dr. Rex Mitchell, professor of music emeritus, is the composer of a sacred musical composition commissioned by Mount Union College of Alliance, Ohio. Mitchell retired from Clarion in 1989.
The work will be premiered on the campus of Mount Union on May 10, with Mitchell conducting.
The composition, written to commemorate the college's Sesquicentennial as an institution of higher learning, is scored for SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and for symphonic band. Titled "Celebration 150", the work features Mitchell's adaptation of Psalm 150 in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Mitchell continues to write and perform as a professional musician. He is the composer of some 50 published works for musical ensembles.
Mitchell and his wife reside in Oil City.