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The Alum Behind the Design

What year did you graduate from Lexington Catholic and what are your most cherished memories?

I graduated in 1992 and I have so many memories! I loved eating lunch on the front lawn with my friends because the cafeteria has always been too small, lol. The Search retreats hold an extra special place in my heart. I still have my parents’ letters they wrote to me as well as all the notes my classmates wrote to me. In the chaos of academic pressure, crazy hormones, friendship, and relationship drama, it was a weekend where we could step away, have space to be vulnerable and refocus and recenter our faith and our relationships. We never came back the same as when we left. This rhythm of work and retreat is still something I value today. I not only do this individually, but we also do this as a family where we step away from the ‘noise’ of the world and spend time just listening to God and to each other.

How did Lexington Catholic prepare you for the career you have now?

I’m a 1st generation college graduate (UK College of Design) and I know I’m able to say that because of my years at Lexington Catholic. Although my parents didn’t attend college, they knew the value of education and the opportunities it could provide their kids. My parents worked multiple jobs to send my 2 sisters and I to Lexington Catholic, so I was always aware of the sacrifices that were made for this investment for our futures. There were days when I hated the ‘smallness’ of the school and that everyone knew everyone but there is so much value in being known, and I appreciate it so much now. The smaller classes allowed me to form relationships with my teachers and they invested in me not just as a student but as a person. The smaller classes also provided space for collaborative and interactive learning. I learned how to collaborate with peers when we had differences in opinions and ideas and always felt like I had a safe space to use my voice. It also taught me how to listen to other people’s voices.

Although the rigorous academics taught me how to balance my time and schedule and how to work hard, the biggest impact that Lexington Catholic had on me was the value of seeing people. In my line of work, I create spaces for public use. Most of the infrastructures I’m in (libraries and education) serve a diverse group of people in very diverse communities. I still carry the value of making people feel seen and known with me in every project.

Tell us about your current job and company. What is your role and what skills does that involve? Why do you enjoy it?

I’m an Interior Designer at KPC Architectural Products. We are a full-service furniture dealership. I work mostly with libraries, education, and corporate entities doing everything from space planning to furniture and finish selections. I love what I do! I love getting to know the client and creating a unique space that reflects their community and clientele.

How did you create the design for the Lexington Catholic project? Did you have certain inspirations or goals?

It’s always special to be able to create a space for future students but even more so when you personally have a past with the space. I knew the space needed to reflect academic excellence but also needed to be able to provide flexibility for lecture and collaborative learning spaces. I wanted to step outside of the normal classroom design and select furniture and finishes that would not only give a nod to the tradition of Lexington Catholic but also reflect its future. Being able to work with administrators and staff who share the same vision has made this project so fun! We were able to add mixes of soft seating with traditional classroom chairs, high and low seating for student choices, and large and small tables for collaborative and individual learning. We created spaces with flexibility, and I couldn’t be more excited to see how the students and teachers embrace and make these spaces their own!

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