The Communique

Issue date: 4/29/04 Section: Feature

Media Credit: Bill Stewart International student Carolina Restrepo holds a brochure she helped to design. Restrepo was selected as the outstanding student for the Graphic Communications program.

Three years ago a Columbian woman came to the U.S. to visit her sister. She enjoyed her visit so much she decided to stay. Today that woman, Carolina Restrepo, is the Graphic Communication Program's Outstanding Student.

"I went to the Johnson Center to learn English and that is where I heard about graphic communication at Kirkwood," she said.

Restrepo has garnered high praise at the school for her hard work. "I have always tried hard to push myself higher and do better," said Restrepo.

Restrepo works on designing brochures, boxes, logos, letter heads and ads. "I have always liked being creative since I was little. I always loved to paint and color. Now I just do those same things only with computers," Restrepo said. She said her family is very artistic so she figures she got some of her talent from them.

Despite the natural talent Restrepo said it hasn't been easy. "It was hard for me. English is my second language and getting this award showed me I can go beyond and continue to improve on what I have already done," Restrepo said. "I guess it just finally made me realize that hard work really pays off."

"She is a very hard worker. She always pushes the programs to the extreme," said Graphic Communications Professor David Brandstetter. "She never worried about deadlines and always kept a cool head. She's an awesome student."

Choosing the Outstanding Student for the Graphic Communication program must have been difficult, Restrepo commented, because there are so many talented people in her program.

Restrepo said she enjoys graphic art a lot and wants to continue her education. She plans to go to the Art Institute of Phoenix for two more years and get a bachelor's degree.

That isn't her only ambition though. "Someday I hope to own my own company; that would be my top goal," she said.

When Restrepo isn't working on her career goals she likes to stay active. "I really love to dance and I like to go ice skating," she said.

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