Johnston - Powers

Laura Johnston and Marc Powers of Columbia, Mo., announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Mike and Tammy Johnston of Whitewater and the late Sharon Lee Simpson of Cape Girardeau. Powers is the son of Joseph Powers of St. Louis and Mary Fransen of Des Moines, Iowa.

Johnston is a 1991 graduate of Scott City High School, a 1995 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism, and is pursuing a master's degree from the university. She is faith editor at the Columbia Missourian, and assistant professor at the university, where she teaches journalism.

Powers is a 1987 graduate of Oakville High School in St. Louis County, and a 1991 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He works for Missouri House of Representatives.

The couple plans a private wedding in June in Cape Girardeau.