I'm a senior at Cape who’s deeply involved in the fashion program led by Mrs. Aiken. I want to tell everyone the impact this program has had on my life and why it’s so important to keep it.
Before entering high school, I was uncertain about what I wanted to do with my life. I would think of being a lawyer, then writer, then director, then president and so on. However, nothing truly stuck with me until I discovered fashion through Mrs. Aiken's class. Now, four years later, I'm confidently applying to six colleges intending for a major in fashion design. I would have never discovered my true passions without the fashion program and without Mrs. Aiken’s guidance.
I can still remember the first time I stepped into Mrs. Aiken’s classroom, full of sewing machines, threads, fabrics and so many other things – I was in complete awe. I had no previous sewing skills before that first day. I had always loved arts and crafts, which I had been doing my whole life. I decided I wanted to expand it, so I picked fashion as one of my pathways when the guidance counselor came to visit my class in eighth grade. Ever since then, I haven’t stopped sewing. I have made tote bags, PJ shorts, bucket hats, oven mitts, multiple skirts, and those were things I made just in my first year. As I was able to move up through the program, my skills grew. I have made a ball gown, a recycled denim skirt, a patchwork pillow of my face, a dress based on artwork from a fellow student who was an AP art student. If my experience doesn’t compel you to keep the program, I can tell you about others who have been impacted by the program.
Beyond personal growth, the fashion program’s impact extends to our community. I have been involved with both fashion shows at the Lodge, where we connect with the residents, including those with Alzheimer's. We model our designs on the runway and create outfits for some of the seniors. These events create memorable experiences and build connections between students and community members. The fashion program at Cape is more than just a class; it's an experience that shapes lives and connects people. I urge people to fight for this program, providing future students with the same opportunity to discover their passions and make a difference in the world.
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