Dude with a Sign has been capturing the attention of students for four years, but many people wonder where it came from. The idea originally came from a highly popular social media page that makes signs relating to everyday issues.
It started in NYC, by a man named Seth Philips, where he came up with the idea of writing whimsical messages on protest signs. Four years ago, Maren Rasmussen decided to bring this concept to JHS, and it’s been passed down to an incoming senior each year since. The duty is handed down by the previous owner, and the new ‘dude’ is chosen solely because other people think they’re funny, witty, and fit for the job. This year, the duty of being Dude with a Sign was given to Cate Taylor ‘25.
“I genuinely love Dude with a Sign and it’s honestly an honor. I love making people laugh and being able to be creative with the signs. It’s so fun to see peoples’ reactions and get them involved with the Instagram posts,” Taylor said.
Taylor is already heavily involved in activities and extracurriculars, so becoming dude with a sign was just another fun addition. Taylor plays golf, participates in girls swimming, National Honor Society, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Newspaper, Silver Cord, Student Council, and pickleball club. Dude with a Sign is just another part of her busy day.
She aims to post often, so the Instagram page features a post almost weekly and relates to things going on around the school/community. Most pictures are taken during the passing period, but there’s many taken during various events and activities. But it’s not just an Instagram account, Taylor stands in the hallway for students to see live. You can catch her typically during 8th period with her photographer and her cardboard sign. From student sections to hallways, the creativity continues to entertain students.
“I love seeing the Instagram posts from Dude with a Sign. It always makes me laugh, and I look forward to seeing the posts on social media,” Maria Wilcox ‘25 said.
The process of sign creation includes tracking down a piece of cardboard and pondering over every event happening at JHS or various social media trends happening that week.
“Sometimes it is hard to come up with ideas, especially when there isn’t much going on around the school, but I try to make the sign understandable for all ages and make something fun that everyone can relate to or laugh at,” Taylor said.
Students love to get involved in the pictures, and get excited for the posts.
“I think it’s cool that the rest of the student body can be like featured in the pictures. I just think it’s such a cool thing, and the signs actually make me laugh,” Morgan Sullivan ‘25 said.
Overall the sign attempts to be inclusive for everyone and it’s sole purpose is just for fun. Taylor has complete free will with what’s posted and she thoroughly enjoys coming up with ideas to post.
“At the end of the day this is a tradition I hope JHS continues to carry on. It’s just such a fun concept and I like that it makes other people happy and gets them to laugh a little bit, because that’s its purpose,” Taylor said.
For the past four years, this social media account has brought happiness and a sense of relatability to many students, and Taylor hopes that the tradition will continue to live on.
“I actually laugh at the (Dude with a Sign) Instagram posts. It’s just a fun account that brings positivity and it always adds a little bit of happiness to my day,” said Mallory Bryan ‘25.