Fashion Design and Interior Design students combine their CTE skills for class project

High school students with a knack for design or a natural sense of style are fueling their creativity in Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses. Fashion Design & Merchandising and Interior Design & Merchandising are two of the well-liked elective courses offered at Gilbert Public Schools. 

“I think honestly just how useful it is for the things that you will know how to do later on in life when you become an adult, and the creative freedom that you have when you get an assignment and get to make it your own every time,” said Gracie Nina, an 11th grade student at Desert Ridge High School. 

Recently, Fashion Design II students and Interior Design II students partnered together under the instruction of Desert Ridge High teacher, Cheri Compton. She asked them to work collaboratively in pairs on a project that would require them to refinish a chair and create an original outfit with matching fabric.

“I think it was a very challenging project. It was definitely hard, but also fun to create with new people,” said Janelle Maldonado, a Fashion Design II student at Desert Ridge High.

Maldonado’s final project was inspired by all things vintage. It took her about a month to finish her outfit. She says her inspiration came from different fashion trends she saw online. Prior to taking Fashion courses, Maldonado had no sewing experience.

“Sewing kind of inspired me to make more clothes,” she said.

Compton provided fabric, chairs from Goodwill, and other tools that students could use to complete their projects. Nina says she instantly connected with her fabric choice.

“When I saw the fabric, I knew right away that was the one I wanted,” she said, “We ended up being partnered with someone who chose the same fabric.”

Nina spent three weeks refinishing her chair, even working on it during her lunch period. She said the hardest part was actually sanding the chair.

“It took me a lot longer than I expected, and with the shape of the chair it was definitely really hard to do that,” she said.

While she navigated the challenges that came with refinishing the chair, Nina had the support of her project partner, Samantha Mercado. The two high school juniors worked cohesively to make sure their individual designs stayed on track with their team theme. Mercado created a pair of western-inspired denim overalls.

“With my partner and I, it was really just working together and trying to make everything mesh well. I think I could use that in the workforce to be more collaborative,” Mercado said.

CTE courses at Gilbert Public Schools aim to help students explore their career interests while completing their high school diploma. They can earn high school and community college credits simultaneously. As part of the CTE programs, students develop high-level technical skills, critical thinking abilities, and employable work habits.

To learn more about the 20 Career & Technical Education courses offered by Gilbert Public Schools, visit the CTE Information section of our website!