There’s new merchandise available at the student-run store Rocky’s Corner at the Reynoldsburg High School-Livingston Campus. Students are now creating apparel items like t-shirts and sweatshirts using a screen-printing machine.

“Screen printing is a widely recognized trade and I am so excited that there is a six-head automatic Workhorse Press in the Makerspace. The press can print up to six colors directly to garments or reverse printed on paper for heat press transfers,” according to art and internship teacher Molly Sparks.

Sparks says with the help of workplace learning partner and local business owner Deane Washington of Starstruckt Apparel, the students are learning how to set up the machine and produce products.

Sophomore Branden Jackson is one of the students.

“I love working in the t-shirt lab because it provides opportunities and new ways of knowledge. Being able to learn screen printing and heat press can become a life skill and could possibly start a career for me,” Branden said.

Sparks, along with teachers April Bragg and Vince Paparella, oversee the student-run operations of sales, marketing and production at Rocky’s Corner, which is part of the Business Pathway. Last year without apparel, Rocky’s Corner raised around $13,000 for a student field trip to Kings Island. With the addition of apparel this year, the goal is to raise more money to in order to fund scholarships and a student trip to Cedar Point.