Printing possibilities

Excitement sparks in the air as Mr. James Hood’s fifth period class huddles around their brand new, pristine Epson Surecolor F2000. It’s a t-shirt design printer; insert any shirt of your choice, email whatever design one’s imagination can come up with, and press the blue button. Costing a solid $15,000, the printer stands impressive, and has an atmosphere about it.

The printer arrived May 11 and Mr. Hood’s students are eager to get the machine up and running. Compared to their old, black and white vinyl, the new printer is a much needed upgrade.

“It was wild,” junior Josh Jane said. “I mean, there’s so many more options now. It’s crazy.”

The only students allowed to handle the printer’s responsibilities are Mr. Hood’s fifth period Practicum of Business Management class.

“Working with the different machines is a huge responsibility,” junior Gissella Martinez said. “Making sure you take proper care and maintain them in the best shape possible.”

The class is classified as a CTE, Career and Technical Education class, and is only available for upperclassmen interested in the business field. This class goes over mature responsibilities and explores the dimensions of the business world, like finance, legislation and marketing, all while applying them to real life situations.

“The class is an open space for creativity,” Hood said. “The class is in a state of experimenting, and the students are free to send in designs to better perfect the printing process.”  

The students are quite literally running their own business, and shirts aren’t the only thing to come out of it.  Everything from bath bombs and table covers to buttons and new prom products are produced in the class. Students are quickly becoming business savvy and highly equipped with knowledge that will assist them in their career paths.

Junior Cali Mcculloch, an aspiring financial adviser, hopes to take on any responsibilities to better prepare for her future career and remarks on how this class has taught teamwork, rigor and problem solving.

“The hardest problems have the easiest solutions,” McCulloch said. “Teachers talk about it, but this class really teaches you that.”

This printer only marks the beginning of practicum of business management. Just recently constructed, the spirit shop lies dormant. Soon to be called the Wylie Way, there’s been budding rumors of the spirit shop’s grand opening – planned to happen next year. The Wylie Way will be run by the Business Professionals of America and the practicum class. This will offer opportunities for any student in pursuit of a business career, especially since the spirit shop isn’t only for Wylie East. “Half blue, half maroon,” Hood said.  

The shop will be split quite literally down the middle between Wylie East and Wylie High merchandise. Wylie’s high schools aren’t the only interest of apparel, though. The Wylie Way will also distribute the entire WISD district’s spirit wear, making the business more open to the public.

With the new printer and the up-and-coming shop, there is much to be expected. Hood’s fifth period class continues to strive for better production of spirit wear and even personalized customizations for any student out there, including talk of blankets for football season. The future entrepreneurs shed new light and bring on new meaning to school spirit.