Allyson Bondy, music

Playing the double bass has given senior Allyson Bondy the opportunity to meet “cool and inspiring” people who have helped her realize she wants to study music after high school.

“Some of the most important people in my life I’ve met because of orchestra, and it’s just such an open community,” said Bondy. “Just coming to terms with that impact has pushed me to pursue music in the future.”

        Bondy said her music career began in third grade. After testing out string instruments in music class, she liked the cello and the double bass. One simple statement from her mom helped her make a decision.

“My mom told me girls who play bass are cool,” Bondy said.

Although Bondy said she would like to continue performing, she is also interested in pursuing a career in music education.

“I’ve always liked working with kids, and I’ve always liked music,” said Bondy. “I think I’d prefer [to teach] high school.”

To apply to the schools and programs Bondy is considering, she said she must take many steps non-art students may not.

“You need to apply separately to the school of music than to the regular liberal arts school,” Bondy said.

Some schools require both academic and music teacher recommendations, Bondy said. Many schools also require that applicants send in a pre-screening recording. Once students are accepted past the pre-screening, they audition for the school.

Bondy said she is not completely prepared for her auditions yet, but she is excited about her list of schools.

Haley Goldberg, fashion design

In the summer after her sophomore year, while attending a fashion design program, senior Haley Goldberg walked back to her dorm at Parsons School of Design and decided she wanted to study fashion design.

“I have never loved anything more,” said Goldberg. “I was in New York, and my homework was drawing.”

Although Goldberg has always loved art, she said her drawing of a dress in sixth grade helped her realize her talent. She was playing a game in which she drew objects her friends named. She remembers her friends looking at her drawing in disbelief of her artistic talents.

From then on, Goldberg said her doodles became focused on fashion design, and she has wanted to work in the fashion industry ever since.

In her search for programs that would support her interest in fashion, Goldberg said she looked for schools where she can also study business, so she will be a “stronger candidat­­e” when applying for jobs.

According to Goldberg, applying to these schools is a lot of work because she is applying to design programs.

“[The schools] have their own specific essays, and then on top of that, when you apply you have to submit a portfolio,” said Goldberg. “And this portfolio also needs to have an essay, which is called an ‘artist statement,’ and it just kind of explains things about your artwork.”

Although the application process has been difficult, Goldberg said she is still excited about the opportunities design schools can offer.

“Obviously I want [art school] to open a lot of doors, but at the same time I hope that it will open a door that will allow me to do something that I love,” Goldberg said.

Josh Lynn, culinary arts

Over the past five years, senior Josh Lynn said he has taken all three of  Glenbrook North’s cooking classes as well as two other cooking classes in Deerfield. During his freshman year, Lynn and his mother discussed the possibility of him studying the culinary arts in college.

“Junior year is when I found out about Le Cordon Bleu,” said Lynn. “I’m going to the one in Pasadena, California. It’s an arts school, so it’s only going to be cooking, which is really cool.”

        According to Lynn, the application for culinary school is very simple, with the only requirement being that the applicant must graduate high school.

Lynn said his interest in the culinary arts began in eighth grade. One night, Lynn was feeling creative and decided to make homemade macaroni and cheese. He did not think this dish would lead him to pursue an education and career in the culinary arts.

“[The macaroni and cheese] turned out amazing, and all of my friends were like, ‘This is amazing, you need to be a chef,’ and that just got me on the track of working towards that goal,” Lynn said.

        He said his friends and family are very supportive of his dream to become a chef in a gourmet restaurant. He is particularly excited about attending culinary school because he will be the first person in his family to attend college.