The Red & Black Shack, a student-run school apparel store at Owensboro High School, is partnering with Western Academy at the Neblett Center to design and create shirts for a student-run store at Western Academy.
The Scholars at Western Academy have launched WAN (We Are Now) Wear, a student-created apparel brand that is designed teach them about basic business operations, marketing, sales, inventory and more.
Students will assist in the design process for the shirts they will be selling out of their own store at Western Academy. The Red & Black Shack will take the orders, create the shirts, and distribute them to Western Academy to be sold.
"It's really exciting to see the look on a student's face when they see someone wearing something they created out in public," said OHS teacher and Red & Black Shack staff sponsor Zach Erwin. "I'm in my forties and still get goosebumps when I see it, so I know the students are excited as well."
"This is an opportunity for us to come up with different ways for our scholars to be strong, proud citizens in our community," said Olga McKissic, Executive Director of Western Academy at the Neblett Center. "Teaching them about finances, marketing, and inventory so they can further their careers in whichever field they choose to go is knowledge they will keep with them forever."