AccessAtlanta > Shopping > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 02 > Entry
Grady Goes to Hollywood
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vincent Martinez of Grady High School, poses with Paris Hilton.
Atlanta’s Grady High School went Hollywood last week when an idea hatched by teacher, Vincent Martinez, and his students got red carpet treatment.
Martinez was on the treadmill when he came up with the slogan “Feed the Models, Save the World,” which ended up on a t-shirt designed by Atlanta-based duo Mike and Gina Hecht of Project e.
Martinez, Project e and Grady students managed to sell more than 1000 tees with 100% of profits going to the Eating Disorders Information Network, a charity that travels to schools to generate awareness of eating disorders.
When the shirts sold well, they decided to do a national launch at Parc restaurant in Hollywood. Celebs including Paris Hilton, Taryn Manning and Kathy Najimy attended.
For more information on EDIN or for a t-shirt visit www.myedin.org .
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Fashion
Comments
By GAGal
August 2, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to all of you. Hopefully the students got a great time and an understanding that they can make a difference. Education needs more teachers who attempt to involve students in real projects. Keep on designing!
By Nicolson
August 2, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
A special congratulation to all the students involved with the development and marketing of such a great campaign including the students of Print Studio 19, Grady High School’s printing program. The students designed the logotype and printed the first shirts that sold in Atlanta. Congratulation again to all and keep up the great work!
By Jennifer
August 2, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Congratulations! Keep up the great work!
By JustMe
August 2, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
So then, a high school gets recognized for coming up with a T-shirt slogan? Am I missing something here?
Shouldn’t a high school be recognized for academic achievement?
I am all for teachers involving students in projects, but this one just doesn’t cut it.
By arthur phrydas
August 2, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
What a great thing for Grady. I’m a 1961 grad.
By Love it!
August 2, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Justme… just stop! This was a smart project exposing kids to the marketing of a creative. Everyday, in TV networks, ad agencies, PR firms and more, people sit around thinking up ideas just like this to earn a lot of money for their clients. If anything this was as smart a marketing lesson as I have seen in a very long time. Good for these kids. I am sure I will be seeing some of them come through my firm’s doors, in the future, looking for a job. And hopefully I will be able to hire them.
By Kristyn
August 2, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness some of our young students are not only concerned about high GPAs and test scores. I think it’s wonderful that these students were recognized for successfully executing on a vision related to a real world problem in a real world way!!
Kudos to these young students!!
By Gmoney
August 2, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
It’s definitely good for the students to be involved in a creative project outside of class. Kudos to the teacher who helped it along. However, I do hope they aspire to more (or different) greatness than Paris Hilton.
By JustMe
August 2, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
To: Love it!
Kids today think that EVERYTHING is PR, marketing, etc. They have no idea what hard work is or what it takes to be successful in the ‘real world.’ They idolize Paris Hilton and others that have no substance and they want to be like her.
Exactly what did those kids learn from this ‘project?’ The kids didn’t even come up with that slogan or even design the T-Shirt! At most, they sold the shirts. Gee, that’s a big step up from selling those nasty candy bars!
I just don’t see the big deal with this….
Now, if the kids learned how to make T-shirts, how to screen print the shirts, and so on, I would be more impressed.
It does no one any good to praise them for so little.
By TeacherToo
August 2, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with JustMe on this one. It seems that all that the high school kids did was sell the product - and they didn’t even sell all of them. So then, what exactly did the kids do? How is this any kind of valid high school project?
I teach in high school. I think that I will create a project where my kids must sell my paintings. Think I will get on ajc?
I am all for newsworthy stuff, but this just isn’t it.
By mad_russian
August 3, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
To: TeacherToo
It is unfortunate that TeacherToo hasn’t kept up with the Urban Couture program throughout the year (many articles have been printed monthly about this fantastic program) in the AJC. The idea of the “Feed the Models” campaign was not to sell t-shirts to raise money for the school or the fashion design program (which is considered to be the best in the city), it was to increase awareness of the many women (and men) who are suffering from eating disorders. Every cent raised has gone to benefit EDIN. Unfortunately this is cheap shot towards an educator who has taken a risk in involving his students with a real life issue. Relating this idea to “selling your paintings” in order to bring him down to make yourself feel better is an unfortunate position for a fellow educator to possess. These students did learn how to do the marketing, make the shirts, print them, while becoming more involved in the community. Why not contact the school and ask to speak to Mr. Martinez and some of his students? It is unfortunate that those on the outside (who seem to know so little) have decided to pass judgment on a fantastic program that has received praise and support from the AJC, a major clothing line (E-clothing), a charitable organization (EDIN), the school’s community, and Atlanta Public Schools. It is no secret that increased involvement in the arts leads to higher achievement in other subject areas (science being my area of expertise) so let us support an innovative idea rather than knocking it down. This “little” programs usually end up being the right push for a student to follow their own dreams instead of someone else’s. Shame on you, “fellow educator”; and I use the phrase “fellow educator” loosely in your case.
By mad_russian
August 3, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Upon reading my comments, I also noticed (as a fellow educator) that I had a couple of grammatical errors. I guess my comments will also be dismissed by TeacherToo now. That’s why science teachers rely on English experts to review our papers for us. I guess being flawed will be my biggest sin of the day.
By StevenIga
August 3, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
JustMe….WOW! Had you done some research, your comments might have been valid. A quick look will tell you that the students did design the shirt! The font and design were coordinated by another group in the school’s technology arts program. Furthermore, the project has taught the kids about teamwork, production, sales and marketing. There is more to life than the three R’s, and you give the students very little credit to categorize them all as worshippers at the altar of Paris Hilton.
By JenniferC
August 4, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Bravo to mad_russion for setting the record straight and Congratulations to Mr. Martinez and all of the Grady students involved in this fantastic project. There is hope for our educational system when a teacher has enough passion about his work to create a program that inspires his students to get involved in making a difference in this world without the reward of either money or grades!
By CM/Parent Involved
August 4, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
Grady High School has some of the highest SAT/ACT scores in the APS System. Academically speaking. Congratulations Mr. Martinez and the students of Grady High School.
By grady64
August 4, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
The Feed the Models t-shirt project involved many Grady students and teachers in a project that integrated design, marketing and public relations. Students spent hours merchandising the shirts and were made keenly aware of the dangers of eating disorders. They learned how to help others as well has have a healthy body image. When high school education involves students in real-life issues, then learning becomes a lifelong passion.
By Zoie J.
August 10, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
All I can say is Mucho Congrats to Mr. Martinez & everyone at Grady who worked on this idea. GK GK WE ALL WE GOT!!! Class of 2006. MARTINEZ I LOVE YOU.
By whatchya
August 11, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
Urban Couture and the feed the models campaign is truly wonderful. Anyone who says otherwise- I would urge you to get the whole story before critisizing it. It makes people at Grady proud of their school, classmates, and teachers. How is this a bad thing? It makes kids happy, and if they’re happy then they’re more likely to work hard on such things like your precious “academic achievement”. And how dare you generalize teenagers saying things like they just want to be like Paris Hilton. I don’t know ONE teenager that wants to be like her. I truly feel sorry for anyone who thinks that high school and life in general should just be about “academic achievement”. Grady has SOUL and thats something you CANNOT find in schools focused on just academic achievement and I’ve had first hand experience with those schools. THANKYOU Martinez for all you’ve done.