Tekedra Pierre, from left, advises Samuella Bassey, Daniela Trujillo and Taylor Hall on how to coordinate professional ensembles using clothing items donated to the Wunsche Closet.
HOUSTON – April 12, 2016 – Students at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School know that their future success depends on the education, discipline and training they receive. Additionally, presenting themselves professionally is an important component at many school-related events, including career academy capstone and milestone presentations, internships, competitions, career fairs and job interviews. For students who do not have the dress clothes or fashion expertise needed to make a good first impression, that could present a problem. For Wunsche students, a solution can be found inside the Wunsche Closet.
A community based campus service, the Wunsche Closet is an initiative offering students a variety of professional clothing options. According to Tekedra Pierre, Wunsche medical academy leader, students often find it difficult to access dress clothes because they have never had a need before. She points out that some may not even know what would necessarily be an “appropriate fit” for such settings.
“We know that some of our students may not have full access to professional attire needed for such important and professional settings,” said Pierre. “Some of our students simply need a resource, or two, to help them present themselves as the true leaders they are. Other students just need the guidance to pick and choose an outfit.”
According to Pierre that is exactly what the Wunsche Closet is designed to do. Through generous community donations, the Closet provides students with gently used professional clothing items to use when they participate in school-related events. Students who visit the Closet find donated business attire in various sizes and colors for both boys and girls, including suits, ties, dresses, skirts, belts and shoes – all free of charge – to use for their campus-related activity.
“The idea came about a couple of months ago as our students asked simple questions about ties, shoes and other clothing. We started off with just a dozen or so items at the office,” Pierre said. “Yet we wanted to make this resource available for all students. Soon our teachers began making more donations as did some of their friends, as well as community members and business partners. We had shirts, ties, suits, pants, blouses and dresses coming in. It was great!”
Pierre said the students who want to take advantage of the Wunsche Closet simply sign in, get fitted and begin choosing from items that fit their size. They could walk away with an entire ensemble or just a few accessories that finish off an outfit they already have. Either way, the items are theirs to keep.
“We know that our students feel very proud to be dressed appropriately in their internships, presentations and interviews,” she said. “We even notice that they stand a little taller as they wear these clothes. They know that a big part of their success can definitely be attributed to first impressions. And we want the Wunsche Closet to help.”
For more information and ways you can donate to the Wunsche Closet, contact Tekedra Pierre at 281-891-7684 or tpierre@springisd.org.