One by one, HHS Dean Tech students in grades 10-12 recently went “shopping” at school, trying on a variety of high-end work shoes. Students were looking for the perfect fit to keep their feet protected while learning and working in a variety of career and vocational programs.
Once they made their selections, students returned to their classrooms, equipped with rugged comfortable footwear that didn’t cost them a penny.
Proper footwear is a must for all Dean Tech students, who learn and work in a variety of vocational settings, from electrical and auto collision shops to hair salons and medical offices. In prior years, students and their families had to pay for the required shoes themselves. This year, their footwear is a gift from the Minnesota-based Red Wing Shoe Company.
At an average cost of $250 a pair, purchasing proper work shoes “can be a financial burden to our students,” said Career and Technical Education Director Joel McAuliffe, “and yet they are absolutely necessary to ensure that our students are safe in their classrooms and on job sites.”
Looking for a way to ease that burden, Mr. McAuliffe recently sent an email to Red Wing’s Chief Executive Officer Allison Gettings, respectfully asking her company to donate brand-new shoes to Dean students.
Ms. Gettings certainly delivered on his request, shipping 482 pairs of work boots and work shoes in a range of sizes and styles so each student could choose their perfect fit. The total value of that donation: $120,000, with more than enough shoes so each student had plenty to choose from.
Also new this year, each Dean Tech student were given a Dean Tech uniform to wear in the classroom, from button-down work shirts for some to scrubs for others, depending on their field of study. Perkins grant funding was used to purchase the clothing items this year, Mr. McAuliffe said.