Each month we spotlight a teen at CPL.
When Albany Park Branch opened in a new location in 2014, it featured a new YOUmedia for high school-age teens. You could say that the class of 2018 is the branch's first YOUmedia graduating class, and Lexie is one of the memorable teens from that first group of freshmen.
Lexie was one of our most dedicated students throughout her four years of high school. She dabbled in many of our digital media technologies, designed and created many cosplays for events such as C2E2, and mentored many students in our maker space. We're happy she's continuing onto college, but we'll miss her! She left a lasting impression on our space.
Lexie-YM
Lexie-YM-2
Lexie-YM-3
Lexie-YM-4
Lexie-YM-5
Q: How did you first discover YOUmedia as a freshman? What were your first impressions?
A: The YOUmedia librarian told me that there were laptops in the back that I could use instead of the public computers because I was in high school, so I came back and checked it out. I was happy that there was a closed-off space for high school students in the library.
Q: What has YOUmedia meant to you for the past four years?
A: It was a safe haven where I could express myself. I have decorated the space a lot over the years. I hung up an iconic picture of Jungkook.
Q: You’re involved in the K-Pop and J-Pop community and have exposed a lot of students to K-Pop. Recently you created a documentary on K-Pop. Can you tell us a little more about the project?
A: It was a way for me to investigate the community and the negativity that can come from fandoms. I wanted to make a documentary on other peoples’ views in the community. I interviewed three veterans of the K-Pop community specifically for the project.
Q: What have been some of your favorite YOUmedia workshops over the years?
A: I enjoyed the tie-dye workshop and then the dog-tag etching with electrolysis especially.
Q: What have been some of your favorite YOUmedia field trips?
A: We went to [Adler] Planetarium in 2015 during the summer. I’ve gone to a lot of performances at different theaters. This year, we saw a performance of Yorca’s Irma at Theater Y. I really enjoyed using the studio when we visited Harold Washington YOUmedia. And, I loved all our annual trips to C2E2.
Q: What have been some of your favorite YOUmedia projects and/or cosplays you’ve created over the years?
A: Freshman year: Zelda Cosplay (special place in my heart since my it was my first cosplay).
Thanks for sharing your interests with us, Lexie. We wish you the absolute best in all your future endeavors!
