Graphic Artist Wins Scholarship

Allie Klepec, 18, Senior, Minooka Community High School

Allie Klepec has volunteered with the Realizing Educational And Career Hopes (REACH) program and has assisted special-needs students. Along with her passion for the arts, she has determined that she will go to college and double major in special education and art therapy.

“I’ve meet some amazing people at REACH,” Klepec said. Volunteering here has inspired me to go into special education.  If I’m having a bad day, I can go there and come out a happy person.”

Klepec plans to attend and volunteer at the Special Olympics in Bloomington this June. 

Her volunteerism extends to the Minooka Animal Hospital. There she does custodial work, but also is able to help feed, bathe and administer some medicine to the animals.

Klepec is going to begin her college career in the fall at Joliet Junior College. She will be working at the bookstore.

“It’s kinda of neat because my Grandma used to work there,” Klepec said. “Every time I go to work with her, I got a Beanie Baby.”

After JJC, Klepec would like to transfer to Northern Illinois University. However NIU is not a definite.

“My dream college would be to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago,” Klepec said.

Recently, her talents in the arts won her a $500 scholarship from the Three Rivers Arts Council. Her classmate Andrew Moorman was the other recipient.

“It’s great that this organization supports the arts, especially in towns where schools are eliminating their art programs,” Klepec said.

Klepec’s speciality is graphic arts. The art work which won her the scholarship were photos taken by Klepec. She imported the photos into her computer. She changes the color; for example to a black and white photo. With a “walking tablet,” that is equipped with a special drawing tool, Klepec draws directly onto the computer screen over and onto the picture. 

“I was frustrated with computer arts when I first started,” said Klepec, a student of the MCHS Honors Art Program and Photo Club. “But I ended up liking it.”

The “arts” run in the matriarch of her family. Three generations for that matter.

Her grandmother is a painter. Her mother is a seamstress, who’s most recent creation was Klepec’s prom dress. Her late second cousin was a musician.

“In third grade she purchased a guitar from a pawn shop and gave it to me,” Klepec said. “I’m not really good at playing it, but when I do I feel better.”

This year Klepec tackled a few art projects at area schools. She helped paint the MCHS Class of 2011 mural and over spring break she assisted in painting a mural at Walnut Trails Elementary School in Shorewood.

“It only took two days and 12 hours to complete,” Klepec said.

Klepec was also a member of both the National Honors Society, National French Honors Society and the International Club. She also ran sprints and long distance races for the track team all four years of high school. 

Klepec has also designed some ads for two groups supporting her brother’s baseball team that is heading to Cooperstown this summer. The family plans to attend and cheer on the team.

In addition to Cooperstown, the Klepec Family may even venture to Disney World. If not, Klepec plans to set-up some outings with her friends this summer in Chicago.

“I’m going to miss high school,” Klepec said. “In Kindergarten all I wanted was school to be over with. I like Minooka and I’m not going to be able to see everyone as much. But I’m also looking forward to getting out in the real world.”