Janessa Ross in her senior portrait. (Photo provided)
LOWELL – Janessa Ross is a senior at Fort Frye High School and Washington County Career Center, where she is studying graphic arts and video production.
She is also considering a career in law one day. She is enrolled in graphic design and video production at the career center.
In addition to her studies, she enjoys helping her community by donating food and clothing to a local shelter and has volunteered hours to design a non-profit business logo.
In the career center, Ross is president of the graphic design class and Co-President of the Business Professionals of America for her chapter.
In the 2023-2024 school year, she was ranked in several competitions. It was first in the region for the promotion of graphic design and fifth place at the state level.
Janessa Ross is the class president of the graphic design class and Co-President of the Business Professionals of America for her chapter. (Photo provided)
“This year I got second place in business law and ethics and first place in prepared speech.” Ross said. “I’ve decided to move on to the state level in prepared speech.”
She said she was drawn to the field because of her love of drawing.
“Some of my favorite things to do in my free time are drawing and reading.” Ross said. “But most importantly I like to spend time with my family. I have a younger step-son who is 9, a 2-year-old grandson and a granddaughter on the way. I like to travel with my family, and even just sit and eat dinner or watch TV with them.”
Away from school, Ross said she also enjoys spending time with her best friend Summer and boyfriend Elias.
“My best friend Summer and I are always together. I spend more time with him than almost anyone. Besides her, my boyfriend Elias is someone I like to spend time with.” she said. “I love taking it with me on my family trips and with me to church. He grew up close to my family, which is very important to me.
Janessa Ross and other students from the Washington County Career Center at the Business Professionals of America competition. (Photo provided)
“Being with them both is incredibly enjoyable and they create an environment where I can really be myself.”
While she has completed the courses she needs from Fort Frye, she will be taking an art class this semester at Fort Frye High School with Kathy Allen as her teacher.
In her program, Ross said she enjoys graphic design work.
“We are learning about everything as a class,” she said. “But on the other hand what I do mainly is graphic design. I love helping my friends and family if they need any graphic design.”
She recently used her graphic design skills to design a logo for the B&W (Beverly and Waterford) Gro organization.
Janessa Ross with her father, Tony Ross, in Muskingum Park. (Photo provided)
“The organizer of this messaged our teacher and he said, ‘Can someone volunteer to create a logo for us.’
“I decided I would do it for them. Free, nothing; just one way to help.”
Ross said this the first time he did a design outside of the classroom for others.
“It wasn’t grade-based or anything like that,” she said. “I just said I would.”
Ross said it took her a day to get the basic design and then three to four days to get the finished product.
Janessa Ross with a friend’s dog. (Photo provided)
“I even did a Facebook cover photo for them.” she said. “It just took a bunch of their photos, made a collage of them and put their name on it. It only took one day.”
Ross said that part was easy to do.
When designing something Ross said she starts the project the old fashioned way – on paper using a pencil.
“When I get to the overall design and the vibe I’m going for, then I’ll get on the computer and go into Photoshop and play around with different colors and different designs and see what fits.” she said.
Ross said she’s not sure if graphic design is something she wants to pursue as a career.
Outside the church on Christmas Eve, Janessa Ross with her boyfriend Elias. (Photo provided)
“I think it’s something I will do as an independent; a side job to bring in extra money,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to be my career path, but it’s something I want to keep in my life for a long time because I’m so passionate about it and it’s so much fun for me to do.”
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 can help me get a job before that first law job.” she said. “It may work for individuals or small businesses that may not be able to hire those who will pay more.”
She is a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption and is taking the RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for confirmation in May.
Janessa Ross with her mother, Jessica Zunbro, in Muskingum Park. (Photo provided)
