JOHANNA: FACING FORWARD
CLEVELAND.COM/JOHANNA
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
Plain Dealer reporters have chronicled the recovery of Johanna Orozco for almost 6 months. They began looking for
answers about how a teen relationship turned tragic; they found instead the story of a survivor.
After reading, Johanna: Facing Forward, answer the following questions:
1. What is your reaction to the story:
2. What intrigues you most about this story?
3. How did Juan and Johanna’s relationship go from health to unhealthy? Make a timeline of the
relationship from the healthy to unhealthy characteristics.
HEALTHY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNHEALTHY
(Place dates on time line of significant events)
Turning points and warning signs of abuse
As you look back on the situation, what were the turning points? Were there opportunities to
change direction and perhaps, the ultimate outcome? Describe when those points occurred.
What were the warning signs that Juan was being abusive?
4. Why did Juan shoot Johanna? Was it a senseless and stupid mistake, a preplanned murder, or
a spur-of-the-moment reaction?
5. Give 3 different scenarios of how the shooting could have been prevented?
6. Do you feel the legal system should be held responsible? Why/why not?
7. How do you explain the actions of Juan?
8. What does this incident say about teenagers, our society, and safety?
9. How has Johanna’s life been changed forever by this tragedy?
10. What are the consequences for Juan? (Legal and other influences of this experience on his
life?
11. Where can you turn for help?
HOMEWORK: PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING – ANSWER THOROUGHLY!!!
1. Write a newspaper editorial about teenage dating violence. Is it safe to be in a serious
relationship as a teenager? Why is dating violence becoming more of a problem in teen
relationships than before? What makes teenagers vulnerable to dating violence (the abuser
and the victim)?
2. We all make hundreds of choices every day. Write about a choice that you made that began
innocently enough but had a bad ending. As you look back on the situation, what were the
turning points? Were there opportunities to change direction and perhaps, the ultimate
outcome? Describe when those points occurred.
3. Imagine that you are Juan and have served five years of your sentence. Write a letter to
Johanna and/or her family stating how sorry you are for not staying from her. Explain
why you did not do the “right” thing at the time.
4. Imagine yourself a number of years into the future as a 35-year-old mother or father.
Write a letter to your own teenage son or daughter about the choices they have confronted
with a situation that is physically threatening (dating violence). Be as specific as possible in
describing what the options are. Also, explain what each of these actions says about you
as a person.
The Johanna Orozco Fund: Donations are accepted at any Fifth-Third Bank