Former TC Student Dillon Wheelock Inspires Young Artists
Today was a special day at Tri County as we welcomed former student Dillon Wheelock back to our school to share his talents with our elementary students. Dillon, a gifted artist, toy designer, illustrator, and animator, returned to inspire the next generation of creators through engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities. Not only did students have the chance to learn from Dillon, but they also had the opportunity to put his ideas into practice, becoming illustrators themselves.
The day began with all of our elementary students gathered together to learn more about Dillon and his artistic journey. With great excitement, they watched as he transformed Mr. Gronemeyer into a superhero—guided by the imaginative ideas of our very own TC students. The energy in the room was contagious as young minds collaborated with Dillon to bring their superhero vision to life.
Following the assembly, Dillon met with our 5th and 6th-grade students to discuss the illustration process, sharing insights into how he brings characters and stories to life through art. He then spent time with our 3rd and 4th-grade students, further exploring the world of illustration and encouraging them to experiment with their own artistic skills. During these small group sessions, Dillon guided students through the process of toy design. The first step he walked students through was coming up with their own inspiration by asking themselves, "What do we love?" From there, he encouraged them to mash up their ideas—the weirder and stranger, the better! Next, students sketched a few versions of their characters to get a feel for how they might look. Finally, they took their sketches and split them into articulation points, focusing on the six key points: head, body, arms, and legs. Dillon then helped students finalize their designs by adding color, accessories, and a unique name for their creations.
A highlight of the day was a special lunch and activity with a group of aspiring young artists, where Dillon engaged in meaningful conversations about creativity and the artistic journey. Our special lunch included ten of our aspiring artists: Evolet Tiedje, Vilma Rivas-Gomez, Briar Pieper, Brynlee Bergmeier, Brexton Card, Liam Bice, Isabella Hager, Emma Wollenburg, Gabe Sowards, and Jairyn Weise.
The excitement continued as he wrapped up the day with our K-2 students, who eagerly watched as Dillion did some live drawing. They watched in amazement as Dillon created illustrations on the spot, bringing characters to life right before their eyes. To conclude his visit, Dillon walked to each classroom, taking time to see the students' final drawings and answering their questions, making the experience even more personal and memorable.
His visit was an inspiring experience that left a lasting impact on our students, encouraging them to explore their own creativity.
Dillon Wheelock, a proud graduate of Tri County in 2010, has continued to pursue his passion for art and illustration since his time as a student here. His dedication to his craft serves as a powerful example for our young learners, proving that with hard work and creativity, anything is possible.This incredible day was made possible by our generous PTO, whose continued support brings amazing opportunities to our students. We extend our heartfelt thanks to them for making this experience a reality and for fostering a love of learning and creativity at TC.
