Jaycie Thornton never thought she’d end up at a Big XII university, but after discovering
Texas Tech’s School of Art, she’s making the small community at a big school her own.
CREATORS
Jaycie Thornton’s world revolves around art.
She wasn’t sure college was a part of her journey at first. Then she started to envision
higher education, but at niche design schools. The last thing on her mind was attending
a Big XII university like her mother.
But because of the impression Texas Tech University made on Jaycie and her family, the new Red Raider is enjoying her first month of
classes at Texas Tech’s School of Art. She plans to study Digital Narrative Arts, after completing her first year of foundational courses.
Jaycie dreams of animating children’s stories for Pixar or Disney.
“I’ve always felt connected to the idea of storytelling,” Jaycie says. “I’ve been
making up characters and giving them stories for as long as I can remember.”
Academics & Art
Jaycie was not an average child.
“She’s been an artist since the day she was born,” says her mother, Ali Thornton.
Ali dabbled with drawing growing up, but it was a hobby. When her daughter put pencil
to paper, she recognized Jaycie had a God-given gift. The young artist worked with
pencils, crayons, paints, ceramics and any other medium she could get her hands on.
“By the time I was in fifth grade I remember thinking, ‘I’m an artist – that’s who
I am,’” Jaycie says.
There was never a different path for Jaycie, despite enjoying other activities like
theater, basketball and horseback riding.
“Jaycie can ride the hair off a horse,” Jaycie’s father, Russell Thornton, added.
Jaycie Thornton
While art was a sizable part of her elementary years, the more serious she became
about it, the less emphasis it had in her schooling.
“The school she attended her freshman year was focused on athletics and did not have
much in terms of the arts,” Ali recalls. “Jaycie started going downhill; her spark
just left.”
Intent on helping their daughter pursue her passions, her parents took Jaycie to tour
a prep school in Waco, Texas, their hometown. They were impressed by the culture and
Jaycie fell in love with the art facilities.
Jaycie completed high school at Vanguard College Preparatory School.
“I’m a pretty serious student,” Jaycie says. “I’ve never been happy to receive anything
below an A, so it was important Vanguard had strong academics, as well as art.”
As serious as she was about grades, Jaycie was still unsure about the future. College
was a daunting idea, and while she would have been happy attending an art school that
wasn’t an accredited four-year university, her parents longed for her to have the
resources of a research-focused institution.
Ali wondered if there were any schools where Jaycie could study art but also get a
well-rounded college education. She had attended Baylor University, so the family
started its search there.
“I reached out to try to set up a tour with the art school at Baylor, but it was difficult
to schedule,” Ali said.
Campus Visit
As Jaycie’s junior year ended, she was showing her pieces at the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). The exhibit showcases exemplary work from high school students across Texas,
awarding all-state-winning artwork.
Part of the event allows colleges to set up booths for recruitment.
“That was the first event I did as a recruiter after taking this job,” says Tonja Hagy-Valdine, recruiter for Texas Tech’s School of Art.
Tonja remembers meeting Jaycie’s mom as she was meandering through a sea of course
catalogs. The two got to chatting and the recruiter encouraged Ali to bring Jaycie
by the booth.
“Texas Tech wasn’t on our radar,” Ali says. “I knew Texas Tech well and had always
liked the school, but I hadn’t heard about its arts program.”
Ali brought Jaycie back to meet Tonja, and the two immediately hit it off.
Tonja spoke Jaycie’s language, as she herself is an alumna of Texas Tech’s School
of Art. A photographer of more than 20 years, Tonja inquired about Jaycie’s work and
the pair were swept into dialogue with the ease of a brushstroke to canvas.
Tonja also spoke Ali’s language.
“When kids tell their parents ‘I want to study art’ the first question is usually
how they’ll afford to live,’” Tonja says. “Well, I went through this program and was
able to show Ali my resume – all the things I’ve done since. I think it shows parents
it’s a good investment.”
Seeing someone who’d experienced success put Ali’s mind at ease.
“Tonja immediately made us feel like family,” Ali remembers. “We knew after getting
home that we had to get out to Lubbock and tour campus.”
When they arrived at Texas Tech for a visit in June, Ali says the staff rolled out
the red carpet.
Jaycie could see herself on campus and as a part of the art community.
“I jibed with everything,” Jaycie says. “The campus was beautiful and after touring
I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”
Jaycie loved the spacious art studios and the plethora of resources offered to art
students. She gazed at the large canvases, animation technology and dark rooms with
eagerness. Beyond the art facility itself, she noted how much she liked the University Recreation facilities, parks, restaurants and housing.
But one of her favorite parts of the tour wasn’t on campus.
Tonja had invited the mother and daughter out during Lubbock’s First Friday Art Trail. Not only does the event showcase local artists, it’s also deeply connected with
the School of Art. Many students get involved while attending Texas Tech and it’s
a way to embed themselves in the larger Lubbock community.
“Waco has an OK art scene, but it’s mostly all Chip and Joanna Gaines these days,”
Jaycie teases, referring to the couple who became overnight sensations on Home & Garden
Television’s “Fixer Upper.”
Jaycie loved that Lubbock was still a mid-sized and accessible city like Waco, but
she felt it had a more vibrant art scene.
“We actually loved Lubbock,” Ali says. “The art trail really sold the city.”
Making Her Mark
A list that had started with the Savannah College of Art and Design, Baylor University
and Texas State University came to a point – Texas Tech was at the pinnacle.
In fact, Jaycie and her parents didn’t visit anymore colleges after their time in
Lubbock.
“Why drive the tires off the pickup when the decision was made?” poses Russell.
So, Jaycie applied, and then they waited.
“I was so nervous I wasn’t going to get in,” Jaycie remembers.
Unlike some colleges at Texas Tech, the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts can require additional application to its programs beyond acceptance to the university
as a whole.
Because Jaycie applied for a sizable scholarship, she was required to submit a portfolio.
She was not only being considered for her grades, but her art also was under a magnifying
glass – a deeply intimidating and vulnerable feeling for many artists.
Jaycie’s artwork
On an afternoon in August 2024, Jaycie arrived home from school to her mother excitedly
explaining she had an email notification from Texas Tech.
“She was so worried,” Ali remembers.
They opened the email and Jaycie’s fears melted away. Jaycie remembers the animated
falling confetti on the web page announcing her acceptance.
“I was so proud of myself; it felt like all my years studying had paid off,” she says.
She also was awarded the scholarship she applied for.
Jaycie’s family took her out to celebrate, and Ali presented her with a card she’d
designed of the Double T and Raider Red – new doodles she’ll be practicing over the
coming years.
“Texas Tech made me, as a mom, feel more excited than nervous,” Ali says. “It’s been
everything you could hope for as a parent.”
Her husband feels the same way.
“Jaycie has big dreams,” Russell affirms. “I am ready for her to achieve her dreams.
Every father wants the best opportunities for his kids. I believe I am getting that
by sending Jaycie to Texas Tech.”
Jaycie recently moved into her dorm room and is happy to be living one block from
the School of Art, where she can go as far as her imagination takes her. She knows
art is her calling and feels that getting to do what she loves in a place that feels
like home is all she could have asked for.
Ali is looking forward to her daughter finding her people, so –to -speak. She knows
Jaycie is hesitant to speak up but has a lot to say.
“I think I’ve been looking out at the world,” Jaycie says. “But I’m ready to be in
it.”
