Atia Seth Johnson’s first competitive sports experience was playing in the Church Basketball league for the Coleman/Still Pond team. At Kent County High School from 1989-1993 she excelled in outdoor track all four years and indoor track for two years. As a sophomore, Tia set school records in the 100 meter dash and the 800 meter relay. At the State meet she won silver medals in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash, setting a school record in the latter.

As a junior, while maintaining a 3.25 GPA, Tia represented the Trojans in four events at the State meet after breaking her own record in the 200 meter dash at the regionals. At the State meet, she was a member of the 400 meter relay team that finished 2nd and the 800 meter team that finished 3rd. The 400 meter relay team set a school record that still stands today. As a senior she won the Unsung Athlete Award for winning six varsity letters in four years.

After graduating she attended Morgan State, then transferred to Washington College from which she graduated in 1997. For the past eight years she has worked at the Kent Center.