Ripon Grammar students have won praise after taking their alcohol-free message to Westminster.
The pupils, who were awarded a £2,500 grant for their streetwear fashion project aimed at steering young people away from alcohol, presented their creative campaign to an audience of more than 100, including MPs from all over the UK.
Isla De Wit, Jessica Glew and Margarita Romaniuk told how their school project uses bold, pop-art inspired graphics on recycled clothing such as T-shirts, hoodies, caps and trainers to promote a 0% alcohol lifestyle for young people.
Their initiative has been supported by the Community Alcohol Project (CAP), which awarded the students £2,500 to help fund textile design equipment and prizes for the best designs.
CAP director Kate Winstanley said:
“Ripon Grammar School is a perfect example of the talent, resilience and positive contribution that young people are making, through CAPs, across the UK.
“In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain or overwhelming, they remind us of something powerful: with the right support, guidance and opportunity, young people can face the challenges around alcohol head on.”
She praised the students for bringing to life the incredible work made possible through CAP’s Positive Activity Funding:
“We loved seeing the T-shirts and hearing from each student about how they came up with the design ideas and the design process.
“It’s quite daunting standing in front of an audience of adults, including quite a few MPs, but the students did an amazing job. Well done to them.”
Proudly wearing some of their designs for the presentation, Isla, 13, Jessica, 13, and Margarita, 16, said the aim of the project was to spark conversations among young people about the risks of alcohol and to show that it is possible to have fun without drinking.
During the 30-minute presentation, the students told how they hope their eye-catching designs will help raise awareness and encourage others to adopt an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Isla, from Ripon, who wants to work in law, explained how she used colour and imagery in her artwork to express that it is okay to not feel okay, and that nature can help bring calm.
Budding agricultural scientist Jessica, from Rainton, whose designs focused on the benefits of sport, told how the students worked on collective branding which would support a range of styling ideas.
Aspiring dentist Margarita, from West Tanfield, is now delivering alcohol awareness assemblies at school following a pupil survey:
“It can be very difficult to make the right choices for ‘us’.”
Their work will also be showcased at the school’s charity Autumn Fashion Show, featuring upcycled designs in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.
During their visit to the House of Commons, the students met Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake and sat in on Prime Minister’s Questions.
Sir Julian praised the students’ ‘brilliant’ fashion project:
“Their creativity has already earned them a £2,500 grant and they should be very proud.”
Mr Hollinrake described the project as a ‘fantastic achievement’:
“Well done to the whole team at Ripon Grammar School.”
Design technology teacher Elizabeth Goddard - who is leading the project at RGS and also spoke during the presentation - described the visit to the Houses of Parliament as very special:
“The presentation went so well and the girls spoke beautifully.”
RGS welfare officer Caroline Hare, who worked with Miss Hare on the successful CAP innovation fund bid and also spoke, said:
“There was lots of praise for the students, who all spoke beautifully, and several people came to tell me afterwards what a credit they were to the school and how much they liked their ideas.”
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