Scout Tarquinio: Designing a Future Through Critical Thinking and a Lens for Sports
Scout Tarquinio’s path to a professional career began not just in a classroom, but in a real-world design studio. A graduate of Atherton High School’s Graphic Design pathway, Scout secured a competitive apprenticeship with Sign-a-Rama Downtown, the key business partner for the school’s pathway. Now attending the University of Kentucky, her journey perfectly exemplifies how the Academies of Louisville model connects passionate students with hands-on, career-defining experiences that bridge high school and college.
Her Experience at Atherton
Scout found her niche in the Graphic Design pathway, a place where she could express her creativity even while admitting, “I cannot draw at all.” Her foundational learning included early exposure to industry tools like InDesign and Illustrator. This academic track was complemented by a deep love for photography, a passion sparked by her father, a professional photographer, and solidified during a middle school trip abroad where she realized, “I can document this trip forever.”
At Atherton, she put this skill to use, shooting boys and girls soccer for the yearbook. Her biggest mentor, graphic design teacher Mrs. Rachel Rice, not only guided her through the pathway but also recommended her for the apprenticeship that would define her senior year.
An Overview of the Apprenticeship
The opportunity arose through the Sign-a-Rama and Atherton partnership, and after a competitive interview process, Scout became the Graphic Design Apprentice. She began her work in June 2024, dedicating her afternoons to the job. As an apprentice, Scout performs the work of a regular designer: taking orders, making designs, adding precise measurements, and producing mock-ups for clients. She especially loves creative assignments like the Juneteenth and Pride Month signs, and the Bourbon Day magnets.
This position is distinct from a co-op or internship. While both offer work experience, an apprenticeship—like the one Scout secured—is a rigorous program requiring 2,000 working hours and 175 learning hours to earn a state-recognized certificate. Notably, Scout holds the unique distinction of being the first Graphic Design apprentice in the state of Kentucky.
“Atherton students are independent thinkers. We make good trouble... You choose your own path at Atherton.”
The Atherton Mindset
Scout attributes her readiness for the professional world to the comprehensive approach of her Atherton education. Beyond technical skills like Vector Art—which she now sees the practicality of every day—she says her challenging coursework provided her with the ability to think critically. Dedicated teachers like Mrs. Rice and mentors like Thomas Nance at Sign-a-Rama have continuously provided the dedicated guidance necessary to translate her ambition into a professional design career.
Her experience in IB Math and English taught her “how to learn and how to think,” a skill that readily adapts to project management. She applies critical thinking not just to artistic critique, but to solving real-world design problems, such as, “How do you design for a 1-inch hole into a 1/2 inch sign?”
Furthermore, she credits her role as the senior yearbook editor for honing her crucial communication and leadership skills. This class, she says, was "more like a job than a class," teaching her to coordinate projects and work with others to finish everything before deadlines. This combination of rigor and freedom embodies the spirit of her school.
“Atherton students are independent thinkers. We make good trouble... You choose your own path at Atherton,” she states.
Her Future
Scout is currently attending the University of Kentucky, where she began classes in August. She is pursuing a Journalism major with a Photography minor. Her goal is not just to earn a degree, but to leverage her education and apprenticeship experience to fuel a lifetime of exploration, particularly in the realm of sports photography.
She is determined to complete her 2,000 required hours for her apprenticeship certificate, continuing her work on college breaks. By building a foundation in graphic design, journalism, and the art of capturing “the full scope of the scene and the whole atmosphere,” Scout Tarquinio is designing a path that will allow her to travel, document, and make her mark on the world.