Tiger pride: Students learn the ropes in transitional classes to help them in the real world

Tiger Creations can be found in classrooms, homes and offices and at sporting events throughout Southeast Missouri.

The items include fabric tiger tails, bracelets, hats, blankets, headbands, aprons, printed paper products and other colorful things. All are made by students at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

Tiger Creations is a school-based enterprise that funds activities for students in transitional classes, said Debbie Ebaugh, transition coordinator at the high school. She defines transition as a process that helps students gain skills that aid in making a movement from high school life to adult life.

Jan Allen, a special-services instructor, teaches a modified graphic design class to transitional students at the school. In Allen's class, students take orders for business cards and brochures and often pitch in on projects for a sewing and embroidery class. Allen said some students in her transitional classes have trouble reading and learn better with a hands-on approach.

Allen said there is a job for every student at every academic level as long as they are willing to do the work.

"These projects teach stamina and teach to stick with projects until they are completed," Allen said. "Those qualities are going to help them in the world of work."

Ebaugh said that selling the handmade items and completing orders for print products have netted the transitional program around $1,500 per year, which goes straight back into the program, allowing students to choose an end-of-year special activity like a fishing trip at the lake at the Elks Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Any money not used to buy food and supplies for the activity goes toward buying more materials for future projects.

"It really is a business," she said. "The kids take care of all the banking and management, which helps them prepare for more intense classes they will take while in high school."

Trevor Bauer takes a transitional class for his last hour of the day and said the time he spends there sewing and working on other projects helps him reflect on the rest of his day and provides a chance for relaxation.

Ebaugh said she sees leadership coming from students as well.

"Trevor mentored another student who was having a hard time with a project and helped him calm down," she said. Bauer also received a math credit for work he did for the business side of Tiger Creations.

Not all of the projects made by the students are sold, however. Handmade hats are sent to oncology patients and new babies born at Southeast Hospital, and other items are donated throughout the year for fundraisers.

"The premise is to get kids to succeed here, because if they do, then they feel better about themselves and they do better academically," Ebaugh said.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1000 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO