Some people never take opportunities to showcase their talents. But Lily Johnson, a 10-year-old, soon-to-be sixth grader from Los Alamos, is not one of those people.

Lily seems to take advantage of almost every chance that comes her way. One of her recent projects was chosen among thousands of submissions in the nationwide Charm It! "Design-a-Charm" contest which began taking submissions last fall.

The Charm It! contest is an event put on by High IntenCity Co., a family-run, New York-based business that specializes in fashion designs meant to inspire the imaginations of girls, tweens and teens across the nation.

The contest calls for girls to design their own charm with a positive message behind it that may be chosen among finalists to be mass produced and sold as part of the Charm It! line. Johnson's design was chosen along with an elite 35 others from the several in-store, mail and online designs that were submitted.

"At first I couldn't believe it," Lily said. "But then I saw the note that said 'Congratulations!' and I was really happy. Inside I was partying, and outside I just asked my mom if we could have a party."

The Charm It! contest, however, is not a spontaneous occasion of creativity for the 10-year-old, and she tends to be more than a little ambitious in other areas of life as well. Not only is she known for having a sketch-pad on her desk at all times, but her ambition pushes her to do everything from horseback riding to ballet. Academically, she skipped a grade in school, which probably has something to do with her love of math and science, as well as the fact that reading is one of her favorite leisure activities. She is determined that with these sort of ambitions, she can do just about anything she wants to in life.

"I would like to be a scientist, but also a famous actress, a famous ballerina, a book writer, a famous painter or work for the newspaper," she said. "Then I'd get to interview people and learn a lot about them and they'd give me a camera, so I could be a famous photographer. I want a lot of jobs, a variety so I don't get bored."

She is already getting experience in some of these jobs as she does things like travel to Germany with her dance class and participates in Rocket Club competitions at school.

In the midst of all of her dreams, nonetheless, Johnson remembers that it is important above all else to remember to help others, which is one factor that drew her to the Charm It! contest, which donates 10 percent of the money made from the proceeds of the winning charms to organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, Kids for Saving Earth, Share our Strength, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Family Promise and Girls' Inc. This money is used for the benefit of everything from world peace to helping animals to feeding and housing homeless children. Johnson considered all of this before submitting her winning charm design — a cupcake.

"I looked at all the kids who were hungry, and I thought about helping kids who were hungry. I decided to draw food and I like cupcakes," Johnson said. Johnson also helps out in her community by helping in church fundraisers and donating items when she can.

Sylvie Johnson, Lily Johnson's mother, said, "We're very proud. She is super artistic, and it's great she got this acknowledgment. We all knew she had the talent to make something special. She is a self-initiator. We come from a small town in New Mexico and we went to CB Fox (Department Store) and she saw the flier and wanted to do it. She made a couple different designs. She was all over it."

Lily Johnson not only is encouraged to do well herself, but would like to encourage others as well. She said, of new opportunities and challenges even if you don't succeed at first.

"Just do it," Johnson said. "Follow your dreams. Even if you lose at some stuff, don't get discouraged and don't give up."

Rebecca Gonzales is a 2010 Capital High graduate. You can reach her at nellybly22@gmail.com.