Students Place Third in Light the Town Pink Contest

Photos courtesy of Janel Cates

Teacher Janel Cates’ Advanced Foods, Advanced Apparel and Textiles Studio and Advanced Jewelry Class entered the Light the Town Pink contest held by Shawnee Mission Health in October for businesses in the local area. Two weeks ago, the team found out they placed third.

The students entered pink half-scale dresses (dresses made for smaller mannequins), original necklaces and cupcake displays based on the “pink” theme.

“The students in my class worked so hard on this and did a great job,” Cates said. “We are thrilled to win third place since we were up against businesses all across Kansas City.”

Students worked on their projects for weeks leading up to the submission deadline in September during class time. They created all of their projects themselves, with little help from the teachers.   

“It took us about a month  to finish our dresses, but it took different amounts of time for each dress, depending on how complex the dress was,” junior Jessie Stindt, Advanced Apparel student, said.

While students learned valuable skills such as illustration, designing a pattern and sewing, students learned even more valuable skills about preventing breast cancer, according to Cates.

The purpose of the competition was to increase the public’s knowledge about breast cancer and to make the community more aware. The competition also taught students to get mammograms, do monthly exams, eat healthy and see their doctor.

“This was a great way for the students to become more informed about breast cancer and make the community more aware,” Cates said.

The students who participated in the project gathered last Thursday during seminar to accept their third place award of a $25 gift card to the Prairie Village Shops, $100 Express gift card and a bouquet of pink flowers.

The projects are currently on display in the library showcase until the end of the month.