By Kayla Bauer | Editor-in-Chief

When junior Andrea Malone was in the fifth grade, she went to Disneyland with her parents. While walking down Main Street, she spotted a man sketching characters from the Disney animated film, “The Little Mermaid.” Malone said she watched in awe.

“I was staring with my mouth open, and my parents had to drag me away,” Malone said.

It was at that point, Malone said, that she found her career aspiration: to be the lead artist for a Disney film.

Malone has been drawing since she was very young and taught herself to draw by copying what she saw on television.

“I basically copied faces of Disney characters,” Malone said. “When I was a little girl, that’s all I would do.”

Malone said her artistic inspiration is Glen Keane, who she believes was the man she observed in Disneyland. Keane is the animation director of famous animated films such as “Tangled,” “Pocahontas” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Malone described her art as stylized, cartoonish realism, similar to that of Keane’s.

“I’ve always been interested in the Disney style,” Malone said.

After high school, Malone plans to attend California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a Los Angeles college founded by Walt Disney, where she wants to study animation and story boarding. Malone said CalArts works closely with Disney, which she hopes will help her achieve her dream of working for Disney Animations.

“Hopefully they’ll see a spark or something in me or I’ll just apply myself,” Malone said.

According to Malone, CalArts is relatively selective, but admission is weighted less on transcripts and more on a portfolio.

“You have to have a substantial amount of talent, and you also have to have a passion for what you do,” Malone said.

Malone is involved in other fine arts programs at Marshfield. Though she had no experience playing an instrument, she was motivated by band alumni her freshman year to become a member of the Band of Pirates.

“I had music appreciation my freshman year with Alex Nauman and Steve Ellefson, and they mentioned that the band needed saxophone players, so I walked in and asked to join,” Malone said.

Malone learned to play the alto saxophone her sophomore year and said she is now learning the French horn. Band director John Kruse said she thrived and is now a vital part of the ensemble.

“It’s very impressive. Not many people step into a high school band as a sophomore and make it work,” Kruse said. “She’s a number one alto and is doing a great job at it.”

Malone is also actively involved in MHS’ vocal department, participating in concert choir and New Horizons.

“I’ve been in choir since the fifth grade, and it’s always been something I loved to do,” Malone said.

Malone plans to minor in vocal music and continue playing the saxophone. She said despite the odds, she believes she can achieve her goals.

“It’s the one thing that I’ve really known I’m good at,” Malone said. “It’s kind of limiting if you don’t see yourself in high positions in your life.”

Malone encourages others with similar aspirations.

“To anyone that would want to pursue what I want to do, like becoming an artist or a musician, keep trying,” Malone said. “It’s not hard to achieve something you really want to do; it just takes a lot of time and dedication.”