ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — When Paige Cooper, a graduating senior at Robertsdale High, took part in a Project Jubilee back in kindergarten at Silverhill Elementary, little did she realize it would have a life altering effect on her life.

“I had a great teacher, Mrs. Susan Carver, who helped me discover my artistic talent,” Cooper said. “Next year, I plan on attending the University of Alabama and studying art.”

Cooper received a merit award from the art competition that is sponsored by Faulkner State Community College, and recently she was informed that her design for the Spring Fever Chase had been awarded the top prize.

“I’ve also designed the senior class T-shirts,” she said, “which should be in sometime in March.”

In fact, Cooper is called on to design numerous T-shirts for various RHS clubs.

Although her eldest sister Katrina, as well as her grandmother, graduated from Auburn, Cooper said that after visiting both campuses and observing their art departments that Bama became her first choice.

“My first love is fashion design and merchandising,” she said, “so I’ll probably go with that as a major and perhaps minor in art.”

The daughter of Todd Cooper and Patty Rowlenson, besides Katrina, Cooper’s other sister, Lindsey, is a student at UAB.

“Back when I was at Silverhill Elementary, I was placed in the Project Jubilee,” she said. “Mrs. Carver saw something in me I didn’t realize was there, as the next thing I knew I was drawing and really enjoying it.”

Cooper said one of her primary goals in life was to make a living doing what she enjoyed most, which was creating beauty.

“I’ve taken ballet, tap and modern dance for over 13 years,” she said. “My hope is to try out and make the Crimson Cabaret dance team. My friend, Alyssa Holley, who graduated from Robertsdale a couple of years ago, is a member, and she is having a blast performing at both football and home basketball games.”

Cooper said she would like to see all those years of dance lessons pay off in some way.

At present, Cooper has a 4.15 grade point average, and has made a 25 on the ACT.

“I was shooting for a 30 on the ACT, but it’s not to be,” she said. “I don’t do particularly well with standardized tests. Considering the number of times I’ve taken the test I’m afraid the 25 is about it for me.”

At RHS Cooper was a cheerleader from her seventh grade year until her junior one.

“I wanted to really concentrate on my grades my senior year,” she said. “Cheering can take up a lot of time, plus my body, considering my knees and other parts, seems to be older than I am.”

Still, Cooper finds time to serve as vice president of the Art Club, and as a member of the National Honor Society, and the Student Government Association.

“Garrett Allen, who is an amazing talent, is the president of the art club,” she said.

Cooper said that outside of RHS, she spent approximately three to four days a week taking dance lessons.

“I want to be the best possible shape, as well as have my technique down for when I try out for the Crimson Cabaret,” she said.

Cooper said her plan was to room with fellow classmates Hope Carnathan and Autumn Phillips.