Name: Yar Deng
School/grade level: Senior, Kelloggsville High School
Passion: Multimedia/graphic arts
Kelloggsville — If you have seen the posters of high school athletes or game day graphics at Kelloggsville High School, chances are you have seen the work of senior Yar Deng.
Yar, who has attended Kelloggsville since first grade, has been creating these items and promoting school spirit for most of her time at Kelloggsville High School.
Her interest was sparked by a friend who used to create the sports graphics, prompting her to approach digital arts teacher Rob Fron about taking over the role after that friend graduated.
“I always loved seeing what kind of graphics were gonna be up on game days,” Yar said.
Her first effort was for a Kelloggsville vs. Godwin Heights football game.
“Everybody loved them, and it blew up. I find great pride in working on stuff, and I just think it’s a great way to connect (to the school). I feel like I’ve made a lot of friends through it as well.”
She and her friends have helped select themes for football games, and purchased decorations, made posters and banners, and promoted other activities.
‘If I were to open up my own dentist office, I definitely think I would want to be the one doing all the graphics and photography .’
— Kelloggsville High senior Yar Deng
How old were you when multimedia and graphic arts became something you were interested in? Yar said when she was in middle school she used to edit videos and draw on her phone, but in high school, “I just wanted to give my all into the high school experience.”
As her course load lightened, she took several media arts courses and rediscovered her passion.
She has seen her photography skills grow this year in Yearbook class, and has explored Photoshop in Graphics class.
Is there a teacher or teachers who have had a big impact on you in this area? Fron, because the class is engaging and “he lets us be creative. He’s always asked me, ‘Do you want to help me make a poster for this?’ or ‘Do you want to make an infomercial for the news?’ and stuff like that.”
Math teacher Lisa Corrigan is another staff member she has connected with over the years, Yar said, and has appreciated being able to sit and talk with Corrigan about school and life.
Do you plan to pursue graphic arts professionally? Yar plans to attend Michigan State University starting in the fall, with a focus on pre-dental. She said she hopes to be able to make posters or graphics for sports teams and other organizations while at MSU, and would consider graphic arts and photography as a hobby.
“If I were to open up my own dentist office, I definitely think I would want to be the one doing all the graphics and photography for my own firm. I would love to just take pictures of the people who would come through my office, and I would love to have my own web page and stuff like that.
“Then, if I’m working on people’s teeth, I can capture their smiles and how it’s changed their life.”
The biggest lesson you have learned from your involvement in this is … “You get more out of school when you are involved. I feel like throughout my high-school experience, the more that I’ve been involved in things, the more I’ve been able to connect and make new friends and just have fun. … The more you talk to people, the more you’re gonna learn about yourself and like the people around you.””
Other hobbies/interests/accomplishments: Yar was one of several students who participated in the WYCE Radio in the Classroom program, where she produced a Saturday segment for community radio station 88.1 FM.
She has played volleyball for four years and soccer for two at the high school, and has used her photography and graphic design skills to make game day items and team schedules. She’s also promoted games and team fundraisers on social media.
Yar also has served as a bus aide for Central Kelloggsville, and has served as a mentor by helping them with homework.
“From the beginning, I’ve always been the one to move around and talk to them. I feel like your job as a bus aide goes beyond just sitting on the bus and making sure they’re behaving. I feel like I’ve made a big impact with the kids on the bus.”
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