The 2011 and 2012 Twinsburg High School yearbooks chronicle more than sunny teen memories for then-editor Amanda Puleo. For Puleo, who will graduate magna cum laude from The University of Akron on Sunday, May 10, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the yearbook stint opened her world in graphic design.
While Puleo, who grew up with a sketchbook in her hand, says she never imagined a career in art, she has already landed a job as an associate line designer at American Greetings. She credits much of her success to the support she received from her peers in UA’s Myers School of Art.
Amanda Puleo
“The relationships I have with them have inspired me in ways I don’t think they know,” says Puleo, who has been chosen to speak on behalf of the Spring Class of 2015 as the student responder at the 10 a.m. ceremony at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. “When one of us does something good or gets honored with something, we are genuinely happy for that person. We support and challenge each other and have a blast doing everything we do.”
Despite an illness that prompted her to take a semester break, Puleo powered through, determined to complete her degree in four years. She spent her semester off immersed in online- and self-study, and bounced back with a full course load and an internship at Hitchcock Fleming & Associates in summer 2014.
“I was stubborn and determined to still graduate on time,” says Puleo.
Leaving UA, where professors and advisers have emerged as mentors and classmates as well as best friends, Puleo says “getting through art school is a unique experience on its own, but going through it with these people has made it the best.”
See more on the Graduation website.
Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu.