Lauer said she remembers painting outside on her first easel from her grandparents.
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NEWPORT — Sixteen-year-old Kaylynn Lauer, a junior at Frontier High School, finds joy in multiple creative outlets.
“All of my interests are creative interests. I love to make and learn new things and to just genuinely be involved in the artistic process, whatever the case may be. I love how art can truly showcase the individuality of the artist. It is so rewarding to see the outcome of the hard work I’ve put into my pieces,” she said.
Lauer remembers her first artistic experience from an early age.
“My hobby since the age of two has definitely been creating. My grandparents bought me my first easel and my parents would set it up outside for me to paint with when it was warm outside. I loved it even back then. I still have my easel and paint brushes,” she said.
As she got older, Lauer found another art form she enjoyed from taking a class at school.
Lauer said she
started on ceramics in an art class and has continued making them outside the classroom. Her parents gave her a pottery wheel for Christmas last year.
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“As I got older, not only did I enjoy painting and sketching, but I began taking interest in other forms of expression. I fell in love with ceramics and have moved on from having a little easel at home to a pottery wheel,” she said.
Lauer has showcased her painting skills in various events. This past winter, she painted a snow plow as part of a contest between area schools.
The Ohio Department of Transportation donated a snow plow to each school for decoration. The entrants were displayed on their Facebook page and voted on. Lauer’s entry won and was featured in Marietta’s Christmas parade in November 2022.
In addition, she painted a mural honoring Frontier’s 2023 graduating class on the school’s walls. It includes a cougar on a mountain with a barbell in the middle and cat claws through the wall. The text reads “Class of 2023- We Are One! Thank you!”
Lauer also is active in academics. She has a 3.9 grade average and served as the sophomore class president for the 2022-2023 year.
This mural was painted by Kaylynn Lauer on a wall at Frontier High School honoring the graduating class of 2023.
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Along with ceramics, her favorite school subject is history.
“I think history is a subject that everyone should be well-educated in. In my opinion, we won’t be able to truly make our world better without studying societies and events of the past,” she said.
Speaking of timelines, Lauer is preparing for her future by taking college credit classes through Washington State Community College during her time at Frontier High School.
“I have completed college credit Algebra 2 and a college credit health class. These classes were important to me because I would like to have a head start for college and I will continue to take additional college classes throughout the next two years. Having the ability to complete courses through Washington State Community College while still in high school is such a great benefit to students in our area,” she said.
Lauer said she plans to go to college, but hasn’t decided on a specific major or school. She is interested in business and marketing because she may open her own business. She said she would like to stay close to home and a school’s environment will be a deciding factor when she makes a choice. She has an interest in Cedarville University.
Several of Kaylynn Lauer’s ceramic pieces are featured in this photo.
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However, she said she’s content to take her time.
“I have learned that it’s ok not to have it all figured out just yet. There is so much pressure on people my age to have a solid plan already, but I’m really just continuing to learn who I am and what my life goals are,” she said.
No matter where she ends up, Lauer plans to keep creating.
“My dream is to always be able to create, no matter where life takes me. And regardless of whether I have an art-related career or not, being able to have my own studio at home where I can continue to pursue my passion is really important to me,” she said.
Kaylynn Lauer poses with her snowplow design featured in Marietta’s Christmas parade in November 2022.
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