Kendra Quaye-Mansell Designs Her Path at Fern Creek
Kendra Quaye-Mansell’s journey at Fern Creek High School began with a love for creativity and a search for belonging. Having explored media arts and communication at Newburg Middle School, Kendra was eager to explore new forms of expression. At Fern Creek, she sampled both video and graphic design, but it was the graphic design pathway’s welcoming, supportive environment that truly resonated with her. “It’s just chill,” Kendra shares, describing a space where students support each other and creativity thrives. Despite not considering herself a natural artist—“I cannot draw”—she found that graphic design offered her the freedom to express ideas in her own way. What started as an exploration soon became the foundation for her leadership, creativity, and confidence.
Discovering Creativity and Community
Kendra’s academic ambitions led her to the Ivy Plus Academy, Fern Creek’s prestigious program for high-achieving students. Ivy Plus provides rigorous coursework, extensive college counseling, and opportunities for leadership and community engagement. “It’s given me different experiences and pushed me to be more engaged in the community,” Kendra says. Under the guidance of Beau Baker, the program’s director, she has grown both academically and personally. Mr. Baker’s mentorship has been instrumental, especially as she navigated the college application process and sought out scholarships.
Leading with Heart
Leadership quickly became a central part of Kendra’s high school experience. She served as class president during her freshman, junior, and senior years, and as vice president as a sophomore. As senior class president, she is especially proud of the unity her class has built: “We’ve worked through growing pains together and leave as a unified class.” Kendra’s involvement extended beyond leadership titles. She participated in a wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities, always seeking ways to connect with others and contribute to the school community.
Kendra also took on the role of Academy Ambassador, representing Fern Creek to prospective students and families. Though she was nervous at first—“My first tour was scary, but my peers supported me”—she soon found confidence in sharing her story and welcoming others to the school. Sara Abell, the senior class sponsor and Academy Coach, played a vital role in supporting Kendra as she grew into this leadership position, helping her develop the communication skills and poise needed to make every visitor feel at home.
Creativity Without Boundaries: The One-Pager Redesign
Kendra’s creative talents came together in a standout project: redesigning the Academies of Louisville one-pager. Working alongside her classmates in graphic design, she was tasked with reimagining a key piece of Academies communication. The process began with the entire class submitting designs, which were narrowed down to five finalists. Each finalist refined their work, and Kendra’s thoughtful, innovative approach ultimately stood out.
“My goal was to make it something we wanted to read,” Kendra explains. Drawing from her experience as an Academy Ambassador, she chose to integrate photographs of real students and activities, giving the one-pager a personal, relatable feel. She selected bold colors and clear layouts to make the information accessible and engaging. “I wanted it to reflect the real energy of our school,” she says. With guidance from her graphic design teachers, Lauren Ison and Diana Stewart, Kendra was able to fully express her vision and see her work make a tangible impact on the school community.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Helping Others
As she prepares to graduate, Kendra is set to attend the University of Kentucky with free tuition—a testament to her dedication and the support she received from mentors like Mr. Baker. She plans to major in graphic design, with a minor in the same field, but her ambitions reach even further. Inspired by a desire to make a difference, Kendra hopes to become a child psychiatrist, helping young people thrive both emotionally and mentally.
Reflecting on her time at Fern Creek, Kendra says simply, “I just like to be nice.” Once a quiet student, she has grown into a leader, a designer, and a unifying force in her school. Through creativity, compassion, and hard work, Kendra Quaye-Mansell is leaving a legacy of leadership at Fern Creek.