Photo Courtesy: Photo courtesy of Josslyn Cropper.
Josslyn Cropper is designing her future. Cropper, a senior at the school, is planning to attend Parsons School of Design in New York City next school year to major in interior design. Her decision to attend a specialized institution has been heavily influenced by her time at the school.
“My love for interior design, as well as getting to do [certain] class[es] at [the school], really helped me figure out that [interior design is] something that I could do,” Cropper said.
At the school, many students choose to attend colleges and universities with a wide selection of programs and classes. Specialized institutions, such as Parsons, are meant for students interested in a certain topic. Cropper, who is sure of her passion for art and design, fits into this category.
“I’m really excited to be in a place that has so much creativity and art surrounding me. [I’m also excited to be] surrounded by creative people as well,” Cropper said.
Like most students, Cropper began the application process early in the year. In addition to the usual application components, she submitted required portfolios and projects, a process unique to design and art schools.
“[The] Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) was one of the harder applications that I had to fill out, because their portfolio consisted of a 3D model out of cardboard,” Cropper said.
Though Cropper is now committed to Parsons, she is still waiting for other schools, such as FIT, to make decisions. Though these decisions will have no outcome on her future, she is excited to see how the institutions will perceive her work and accomplishments.
“[FIT] was my hardest application, and because I’m so proud of what I ended up creating, it’s still [going to] be cool to know what they thought of it in the end,” Cropper said.
Cropper’s time at the school has shaped her knowledge and passion for design in many ways. For example, Cropper has found numerous creative communities over the years to participate in.
“I [joined] Art Club, and there was [also] Crochet Club. There’s a bunch of fun things that I was able to do [at the school,]” Cropper said.
Art and Crochet Club is just the beginning of Cropper’s passion for involvement in her school community. When the new school year begins, she plans to build this sense of community at Parsons as well.
“Parsons is renowned [as] a fashion school. They have a huge fashion major, and [the] fashion program in general is really good. I’m thinking that I’m [going to] do clubs within fashion as well as maybe pursue it as a minor,” Cropper said.
Cropper holds high hopes for the future. Her education at Parsons is one of many accomplishments that she hopes to achieve in adulthood.
“I’m hoping to go straight into internships and a career in interior design if everything goes well, and if I enjoy [my] major. I think just being in such a place, full of art like, I [will be able to] build these relationships as I’m still a student,” Cropper said.
As her time at high school draws to a close, Cropper has mixed emotions about leaving.. While Cropper will miss the school, graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
“It’s bittersweet because I’m ready to be out of high school, and I’m ready to start fostering all the relationships that I’m going to [have] in college,” Cropper said. “[I’m also excited] to just express myself completely, because now I’m only in ceramics since I did all the other [art and design courses] already.”
As she continues to grow and evolve, Cropper is excited for what the future holds.
“I’ve always loved fashion since I was little, and going to fashion school and going to New York, just seemed to have so [many] opportunities,” Cropper said.
