CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Shawn Johnson, Iowa’s young Gold Medal Olympian, is coming to the Cedar Valley to talk with girls about the importance of character. 

The late afternoon and evening event is set for Thursday, March 25 at the University of Northern Iowa’s McLeod Center in Cedar Falls. The evening is hosted by Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. 

Johnson will speak at 7 p.m. and will talk about the Six Pillars of Character taught in schools and the Girl Scouts mission of Courage, Confidence and Character. She’ll take questions from the audience, too, and will share her Olympic experiences. 

The 18-year-old was a 2008 Olympic Women's Gymnastics Gold and Silver Medalist and lives in West Des Moines. Her performance during the Games captured the hearts of Iowans across the state. 

"We are extremely honored and excited to bring Shawn Johnson to the Cedar Valley on behalf of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois," Joanne Wzontek, Girl Scouts regional vice president, said. "Girls deserve to have role models who they can look up to and become inspired, and Shawn is a perfect example to help them realize their potential. We’re happy to partner with many organizations, like the University of Northern Iowa, to make this opportunity possible for the entire Cedar Valley."

Prior to Johnson’s talk, doors will open at 5 p.m. for an open house of vendors with interactive activities and booths. Food concessions will be available. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Monday, Feb. 1 at UNI’s McLeod Center. They also will be available online at http://www.unitix.uni.edu or by calling the McLeod Center at 319-273-4TIX.  

Sponsors of the event include the University of Northern Iowa, KWWL, the Radio Group, Courier Communications, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Hawkeye Community College, Simpson Furniture, Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau, the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Cedar Valley Sports and Entertainment Commission.