One day, Lillie Tuttle’s name might be rolling through the credits of the latest blockbuster for production design. It could be that she wins an Academy Award for her timeless costumes in the next historical drama. Or maybe, she’ll snap a photo that catches the attention of the world.
Her creative nature will lead to great things as the St. Joseph senior heads to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design — SCAD — in Georgia.
“I’m definitely realizing I have more than one hobby I love. For a long time I actually did Cosplay where you make your own costumes,” the 18-year-old said.
With production design, “designing sets and where you would want this person to come in, how it effects the other parts. I’m also interested in photography. I’ve got hobbies, a wide range of what I like to do. Right now I’m experimenting, playing around with Photoshop and video editing. I’m not too sure where I’m going to go with it, but while I’m there I’m going to enjoy it.”
Tuttle, daughter of Sarah Tuttle, has attended St. Joseph School in Conway since fifth grade. She’s graduated May 19 with a 3.7 GPA. All four years she played on the girls bowling team, leading her team as captain, along with fellow senior Stephanie Jeans, to a 2018 state championship.
“Honestly I think it was through our motivation and perseverance to keep going, to be able to get where we were,” Tuttle said. “Shoot, when I first started bowling I was a 20-average pin and now I’m a 200-average pinner.”
Five years ago, Tuttle was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Other teenagers “can just go out and eat junk food, they can eat whatever they want and I’m over here counting carbs,” she said.
Tuttle spreads awareness through volunteering with JDRF, a nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.
“I’ve met little girls who have Type 1 Diabetes, don’t eat sugar and are still happy. And it’s very inspiring for me to see people who yeah, they have X, Y, Z and are still going,” she said. “Technology is great, but you can’t be a part of something until you’re fully there and you are there to enjoy and be with people who understand it just like you do. I’ve met great friends at that foundation who can relate.”
Last summer, Tuttle spent five weeks attending SCAD Rising Star program, taking production design and oral communication, earning a 4.0. One important project was designing historically accurate costumes for “Romeo and Juliet.”
“I love the fact that I see my progress and what I’ve done. And it’s not going to be perfect, but it’s always going to be something I can learn from it and add more to it to where it gets better and better. And just the fact that ‘I did that,’” she said. “I would love to one day see my name in the credits of like Marvel movies.”
While great things await her, Tuttle said her faith has been strengthened by St. Joseph School.
“What I did find through St. Joe is that God loves everyone. And I think that’s what really stood out to me. If you struggle, God’s always there. I always thought God was punishing me because I didn’t understand anything that was going on when I came here, but through the love of St. Joe, I was able to understand and they’ve really taught me a lot about who he is and I feel like my faith is so much stronger. If I need a shoulder to lean on, it’s his,” she said.
