Janessa Ross in her senior portrait. (Photo Provided)
LOWELL — Janessa Ross is a senior at Fort Frye High School and the Washington County Career Center, where she is studying graphic arts and video production. She is also considering a career in the law.
In addition to her studies she likes to help her community by donating food and clothing to a local shelter and has volunteered hours to designing a non-profit business logo.
At the career center, Ross is class president of the graphic design class and Business Professionals of America Co-President for her chapter.
In the 2023-2024 school year, she placed in several competitions. She was first in regional for graphic design promotion and fifth place at the state level.
“This year I got second in business law and ethics, and first place in prepared speech,” Ross said. “I have decided to move on to the state level in prepared speech.”
Janessa Ross and other students from the Washington County Career Center at the Business Professionals of America competition. (Photo Provided)
She said she was drawn to the field because of her love for drawing.
“Some of my favorite things to do in my free time are to draw and read,” Ross said. “But most importantly I love to spend time with my family. I have a younger stepbrother, who is 9 years old, a nephew who is 2 years old and a niece on the way. I enjoy taking trips with my family and even just sit and have dinner or watching TV with them.”
Away from school, Ross said she also likes to spend time with her best friend Summer and boyfriend Elias.
“My best friend Summer and I are always together. I spend more time with her than almost anyone. Aside from her, my boyfriend Elias is someone I enjoy spending time with,” she said. “I love to take him with me on my family trips and along to church with me. He’s grown close to my family, which is very important to me.
“Being with both of them is extremely enjoyable and they create an environment where I can really be myself.”
Janessa Ross with her dad, Tony Ross, at Muskingum Park. (Photo Provided)
While she has completed the courses she needs from Fort Frye she will take an art class this semester at Fort Frye High School with Kathy Allen as teacher.
In her program, Ross said she enjoys the graphic design work.
“We are learning about everything as a class,” she said. “But on the side what I do mostly is graphic design. I like to help my friends and family out if they need anything graphic design wise.”
Recently she used her graphic design skills to design a logo for the B&W (Beverly and Waterford) Gro organization.
“The organizer for that messaged our teacher and he was like ‘Can anyone do a side volunteer thing to design a logo for us?’
Janessa Ross with a friend’s dog. (Photo Provided)
“I decided I would do it for them. No charge, nothing; just a way to help.”
Ross said it the first time she did a design outside of class for others.
“This wasn’t grade-based or anything like that,” she said. “I just said I’d do it.”
Ross said it took her one day to get the basic design and then three to four days to get the finished product.
“I also did a Facebook cover photo for them,” she said. “That just took a bunch of their photos, made a collage from them and put their name over it. That just took one day.”
Outside the church on Christmas Eve, Janessa Ross with her boyfriend Elias. (Photo Provided)
Ross said that part was easy to do.
When designing something Ross said she starts the project the old-fashioned way – on paper using pencil.
“When I get to the general design and the vibe I’m going for then I’ll go on the computer and go in Photoshop and play around with different colors and different designs and see what fits,” she said.
Ross said she is not sure if graphic design is something she wants to pursue as a career.
“I think it is something I’ll do freelance maybe; a side job to bring in extra money,” she said. “I don’t think it will be my career path but it is something I want to keep in my life for a long time because I am really passionate about it and it’s really fun for me to do.”
Janessa Ross with her mom, Jessica Zunbro, at Muskingum Park. (Photo Provided)
Ross said she would like to study political science or pre-law at Marshall University in Huntington or Walsh University in Canton, Ohio.
“I think graphic design is something that could help me have a job before that first job in law,” she said. “Maybe do work for individuals or small businesses that might not be able to hire those who would charge more.”
She is a parish member of the Basilica of St Mary of the Assumption and is taking RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for confirmation in May.
Jeffrey Saulton can be reached at jsaulton@newsandsentinel.com
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Janessa Ross is class president of the graphic design class and Business Professionals of America Co-President for her chapter. (Photo Provided)
