Design class is valuable to 10th grader

Melissa, a 10th grader from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is finishing her first year at WMCAT, where she has dived into classes in skateboard design, fiber arts, and black and white photography. She has also participated in two college trips with WMCAT staff and students. Both her brother and her sister attended WMCAT and told her about the program.

She loves it at WMCAT because she gets to create, use her hands, explore, and engage with her instructors and fellow students. This is important because Melissa attends a high school where the majority of her classes are online. She only spends two hours of her school day in front of a live teacher. She loves to learn, but doesn’t feel she is getting much out of high school. WMCAT is where she comes to learn.

“WMCAT is a place I can come and relax,” she said. “It’s like an art class. I like art, but I don’t have it at school. I love to be creative and learn different things.”

An energetic teenager, Melissa loves go-karts, traveling (she’s even been to Mexico), church, and spending time with family and friends. She plans to attend college when she graduates. Melissa has not narrowed down a career yet, but is interested in interior design, international business, and the medical field. WMCAT is helping her explore all her options and use creativity to access opportunity.

Thank you for supporting WMCAT and providing the materials for an after school art and design class for Melissa!