Course selection: two words that send some running for the hills and others anxiously awaiting the moment they can get their hands on a student handbook. For those overwhelmed by the amount of options in that 70+ page book, there are two classes that never fail to excite creatively inclined students: Clothing, Textiles & Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design.

“It’s just a fun class to take,” senior Lauren Hall. “I knew I was sort of interested in fashion but I wasn’t sure what part of it I was interested. But, after taking the class I realized that I do want to pursue a career in the industry. This class helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life.”

Selecting the fashion course held her interest so much that she now plans to continue in that field post-graduation.

Offered as a major elective, this class meets every day of the six day cycle. Even better, it is available to all grade levels with NO prerequisite. Interested students just have to fill in Clothing, Textiles & Fashion Merchandising on the course selection card and get ready to enter the world of colors and patterns.

Students in this course have the unique opportunity to showcase classwork to the student body with style. Senior Heather Cunningham talks fondly of the annual fashion show and can’t wait for its return this March.

“One of my favorite parts [is] definitely the fashion show. It’s really a culmination of everyone’s hard work towards their own individual projects. It really gives you the freedom to be creative and make something that great that the whole school gets to see.”

All of this would not even be possible without a passionate teacher leading the runway efforts. Though trends come and go, fashion teacher Mrs. Joelle Townsend can always be seen sporting the latest designs and strutting down the halls of North Penn, just waiting to pour her knowledge of the industry into eager students.

“I believe that fashion is the most important class to take because fashion itself employs 90% of the world. Since we are the United States of America, one of the most diverse countries in the world, it’s beneficial for us to recognize that the piece of clothing we’re wearing has traveled farther than we have. In my class we learn that fashion is a mirror of our times; it reflects what is going on in the world today. Fashion is the unspoken word about how we feel about things, a personal preference; it’s just so many things. I think it’s the most hands on, fun class and just being able to recognize how important making clothes actually is and the quality of the clothing you’re wearing is great. I just love the class I can’t help it.”

Maybe fashion and clothing isn’t the path for every student’s creative outlet, but interior design is a whole different area. Besides the opportunity to design a unique living space, this class has practicality for all students who will be going off to college or owning their own house down the road.

Another benefit of this class for students who have tight schedules is that it is offered as a minor course. Meeting only twice a cycle, Interior Design also requires no prerequisite, making it easy for students to sign up. Student Lauren Hall speaks highly of the class as a course for anyone who has an interest in the field to take and explore the different aspects of it.

“It’s a really fun class for anyone interested in interior design or home remodeling. Through a lot of hands on projects and activities, students get an idea of the different tasks an interior designer does throughout their career.”

Mrs. Townsend really emphasizes the importance of having a basic understanding of room design. In her eyes, students have the chance to not only learn about a different area of design but then later apply their skills.

“In interior design we learn all the fundamentals based on color theory, learning about different textiles, making floor plans, and creating room designs. The ultimate goal is for the student to be able to redesign their own personal space. With that, I think it’s a very important life skill since they’re going to be moving into their own dorm and buying their first home at some point. So you need to learn how to do that well and within budget.”

With the world of fashion surrounding students on a daily basis, what better way to become aware and educated than enroll in a course right here at North Penn. Before course selection is complete, check out Clothing, Textiles & Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design to find a perfect niche that could one day lead talented students designers into the world of Gucci, Prada & Coach and HGTV.