It’s often known that a high school education can help to prepare a student for the world of working for a business, but rarely does a high school education purposely involve students running their own business – or help setting them up to work with local businesses to further their experiences.

Later this afternoon, a local embroidery shop will be coming to meet with Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Ahren Wagner’s students about potential jobs – and Wagner says the experience her students gain at Highlands is largely in part to the grants and assistance the department has received from the Education Foundation over the last several years.

“We’re definitely working with true industry level equipment,” says Wagner. “We’ve received several grants in the past for our fashion program. We got light boxes one year, dress boxes one year and a sublimation printer. All of these things help our pathway classes as well as our student based business.”

Truly, a glance into the department offers one of a (pardoning the pun) well-oiled machine. Tucked in the basement of the high school one will find massive equipment to print and embroider logowear, and the department’s kitchen houses true consumer grade cooking ovens.

Wagner says that, in fact, the greatest need of the program right now is even more space, as when it was built, the department had nowhere near the level of activity it does today and could benefit from a renovation. 

Like many who’ve benefitted from the assistance filing grants offered by the Education Foundation, Wagner encourages her peers to take advantage of these valuable resources as well, and says the foundation has remained a valuable partner for her entire department. 

“I think the greatest thing the Education Foundation offers is that they work so hard to make sure your student or your child has the best opportunity in whatever area they pursue,” Wagner says. “They’re whole mission is to make sure the teachers are able create the best experience for the students here. I see it benefit students year after year after year in major ways.”