A junior at Villa Maria Academy, Caroline Naughton is an exceptionally talented artist and student who was nominated to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference. She created the school’s Textile Club, is an IHM Charism Scholar and Art Scholar, is editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, Villa Voice, and its literary magazine, and is Vice President and set designer of Marian Masques, a theater group. She also is a member of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, Student Council, Forensics Debate Team and Student Integrity Club, and is a Student Ambassador.
Main Line Media News: What was the most interesting thing you learned at the figure drawing course you took at the University of the Arts?
Caroline Naughton: The professor at my figure drawing class at University of the Arts taught us to use uncooked spaghetti noodles to measure proportions when drawing. I kept breaking the noodles by accident, so I still find little spaghetti noodles in my charcoal box every once in a while from that class. We also learned about the fundamentals of drawing figures from life, went through many quick sketching exercises, and talked to the models in between sessions, but the spaghetti stuck out the most to me.
Main Line Media News: What was the most worthwhile thing you learned about leadership at the HOBY Leadership Conference at Neumann University?
Caroline Naughton: I learned that the most important aspect of leadership is its deep connection to people. While learning strategies and techniques for better leadership is very valuable, what is most important is to have compassion and care for others. Authentic leadership that actually makes a difference stems from understanding and compassion. HOBY helped teach this during our service day, where we traveled to a warehouse to pack backpacks for underprivileged students and then came back to Neumann to discuss compassion and leadership afterward.
Main Line Media News: What has been the most interesting debate you’ve participated in with the Forensics Debate Team – can you tell us a little about the issues involved?
Caroline Naughton: The most interesting debate that I have participated in for Forensics would be my first debate, which focused on open border policies and if they were necessary for human justice. For a Lincoln Douglas debate, you must prepare both the affirmative and negative arguments prior to competing, so I learned the justifications behind both arguments. During the debates, the big argument was either that allowing open borders helps gain substantial labor or that it causes a “brain drain” from immigrating countries.
Main Line Media News: What has been your favorite production with Marian Masques, and why?
Caroline Naughton: My favorite production with the Marian Masques would definitely be our spring show for this year — The Sound of Music. I am particularly proud of the set design for this show. We’re building and painting more things from scratch than we have for any of the shows I have been involved in before. My favorite project would be the faux stained glass of Mary that will be lit from the inside to showcase the colors of the glass during all of the scenes in the convent.
Main Line Media News: Your passion project was creating the Textiles Club. Tell us a little about the club, its purpose and its most interesting activities.
Caroline Naughton: The Textiles Club helps members learn to crochet and knit. Many of the members are complete beginners and must learn the skills from scratch. I run a donation drive from the club for handmade baby hats, which are then donated to hospitals and to the nonprofit organization Project Robby, which provides care packages to families who have lost a baby prematurely.
Main Line Media News: What has been your favorite piece you have written for Villa Voice, and what was the most interesting thing you learned in writing it?
Caroline Naughton: My favorite piece that I have written for the Villa Voice would be our Christmas Editorial from this year. It was probably my most controversial article yet, since it centered around why I’m not really a fan of the Christmas season. I went on to explain my hatred of consumerism during the holidays and the environmental and societal impacts of it. The article was a good mix of holiday-hating humor and more serious topics. One of the designers for the Villa Voice created a caricature of me as the Grinch to put next to the article.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book? Who is your favorite author, and why?
Caroline Naughton: My favorite book is The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman. My favorite author is probably Agatha Christie — I’m a sucker for crime stories! I listen to true crime podcasts while I’m lifeguarding (and nobody’s swimming in the pool) during the summer.
(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)
To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Students of the Week click here
