Pictured above: Catherine Ann Herrington (3rd from left) and Collins Tuohy (4th from left) enjoy time with friends at The Blind Side premier in New Orleans.
Catherine Ann Herrington has used 2009 as a year of opportunities. Herrington is a 2005 graduate of New Albany High School and a Graphic Design major at the University of Mississippi. This past summer Herrington interned for a children’s clothing manufacturing company in New York City. And more recently, she has been excited to work with Michael Oher to create the logo for his foundation, The Michael Oher Foundation, Blocking for Hope.
Herrington has known Oher since her freshman year at Ole Miss. She says she was honored when Oher approached her about designing the logo for his foundation, which will help to provide foster care and adoption opportunities for children that need academic and financial help with achieving their goal of going to college.
“Michael told me he was completely open to any design yet his vision was of a football player pushing the logo with ‘a hint of Ole Miss’,” Herrington said. “Michael is ready to hit the ground running with the foundation and I know that his foundation will help so many children in need.”
Catherine Ann is friends with Collins Tuohy, Michael’s sister through his adopted family. Last month, Herrington attended the premier of The Blind Side, a recent movie release that tells the heartwarming story of Oher being adopted by the Tuohy family. The premier was held in New Orleans and was hosted by Actress Sandra Bullock.
This past summer Herrington had another unique opportunity when she interned for Topsville, Inc., a New York City based manufacturer and distributor of private label children’s clothing. “I interned in their design department, creating pattern designs for the upcoming season,” Herrington said. “I also did everything I would expect a summer intern to do, from running errands up and down 7th Avenue, to organizing fabric swatches, and even sewing my first button onto a sample.”
One project that Herrington was given was to design a teddy bear for a newborn children’s clothing line. The teddy bear is wearing a backpack, which holds the newborn outfit. Herrington said she was sent on a scavenger hunt through the fashion district to find the materials she would need to create a prototype of the teddy bear. Her design was approved and the teddy bear will be sold next summer at TJ Maxx stores nationwide.
“Interning was very beneficial because I got to work with graphic designers in a structured environment,” Herrington said. “The people that I worked with at Topsville, Inc. were so kind and helpful and taught me so much about the design world.”
Herrington said the two months she spent working and living in New York City was an experience that was both eye opening and rewarding. “My summer in New York inspired me as an artist, taught me lessons I can one day use in the working world, but also made me appreciate growing up and calling New Albany, Mississippi my home.”
Herrington will graduate in May with a BFA in Art, with an emphasis in Graphic Design. She is currently working on her thesis that she will present to the public in March. Herrington has accepted a position with University Sporting Goods in Oxford, as head graphic designer, and will begin after graduation.
Herrington added that she was blessed to have teachers in the New Albany School District that encouraged her to pursue her love of art from a very early age. “Working on the high school yearbook and being a part of The Maroon & White newspaper staff influenced my decision on choosing Graphic Design as my major.”
Note: New Albany School District is proud of all its graduates. If you know of a graduate who has received an honor, please e-mail Melanie Shannon, Public Relations at mshannon@newalbany.k12.ms.us .
