To kick off the start of the week with activities, Camp Orlando hosted its fourth year of the shirt design contest where students get to decorate and show off their school spirit. July 19th at 9:00 p.m. students grades eight to twelve, teamed up with their corresponding schools and received the same blank shirts. They were tasked with using their creative minds to create a unique t-shirt design. They all scattered and carefully planned out what their final outfit was going to look like while others just went wherever the wind took them.
University High School junior Molly Headrick said, “We have a very specific vision and are trying to execute it but with the time we have it might be a challenge.”
Each school has a chance to win one of the cash prizes by the end of camp. With that in mind, each team strutted down the stage showing off their creations. Schools competed by doing tricks to try and grab others attention, some did it just for fun.
Lineman High School juniors, Omri Allen and Simon King dressed as a king riding a wolf, this idea came from the team and the boys took on the role of representing the school. They were excited to take on these roles to fulfill the ideas of their staff mates.
“My favorite part was wagging my tail on stage,” King said, “and riding my favorite wolf.” Allen said.
Schools mostly from around Florida showed how spirited they were while the chosen models strutted down the runway. While a burst of excitement fled the conference room for each participant disregarding what school they were from, the room roared with each passing moment, with teammates trying to be louder than the next.
“We are the loudest people here and we are clearly an all hands staff so I think we are going to win.” Boone High School sophomore Ava Oller said. Each student was included during the shirt making process with every member of the production team having left their mark; a handprint.
This experience of having a fashion show at Camp Orlando has been built up to become what it is now. It started as a bucket design contest where camp helper Adam Levisey and camp director Tracy De la Feuillez, knew they were missing something. After suggesting a t- shirt contest and trying it they knew this was more beneficial for the students. They get to learn skills of how to get along, meet deadlines, and have fun.
The event ended at 10:15 p.m. where everyone settled down to vote for who they thought was the winner. Levisey said, “The catwalk part of it adds to that kinetic energy to make [the event] more exciting at the end.”
