Fashion has always been something that senior Elena Shaheen has had a love for. Focused on perfecting the preppy look, she plans on taking the fashion world by storm. 

Last year, Shaheen excitedly worked with former life skill teacher Marianne Modlin to reboot the then dormant Fashion Club at North. Since, Shaheen has tested her leadership skills and built a powerful and passionate group. 

“[The Fashion Club has] been here for quite a bit,” Shaheen said. “Freshman year I joined the club. [It] was very small and kind of unorganized, so when I restarted it junior year it really expanded and now it’s becoming a whole organization.” 

This year, Shaheen is working with the new life skills teacher Bryan Schuerman to bring the club into a new era by partnering with the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America in order to set a groundwork for it to flourish in years to come.
FCCLA is a family-consumer science organization offered for middle and high schoolers across America. The organization will be incorporated into the existing Fashion Club for students at North. 

“Mr. Schuermen has now adapted our club from just being about fashion, to now giving us opportunities to go to expositions, conferences, field trips and more resources and opportunities,” Shaneen said. 

North FCCLA members are gearing up to go to Lansing for the FCCLA  fall leadership conference. They will have the opportunity to understand the expectations and explore the organization. There are also national competitive events for students to participate in.

“Students will go and learn different leadership skills and a bunch of stuff,” Scheurman said. “It’s not just all about fashion, fashion can be a part of it, but I want us to branch out and do community service.”

Although Schuerman is new to North, he is no rookie to the FCCLA. He has been a part of the organization since his freshman year of high school and was a state officer in Indiana. He has started three chapters at different schools, opening new doors of opportunities for his students. 

“I personally have a strong passion for this organization because I wouldn’t be sitting here today if it wasn’t for that,” Shuerman said. 

Both Shaheen and Scheurman emphasize the idea that fashion and consumer sciences are ever present in daily life. They are excited to spread this message to the student body and hope more people will join the team as they continue to grow and build their foundation.

“Fashion is a huge part of all of our lives,” Shaheen said. “Even though you don’t want to work in fashion or be super out there with your clothing, we all care about fashion in one way.”