Calling all superheroes

Dashing onto The Square, Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts dons a blue cape for the Career Discovery Day kick-off. City Manager Ron Carlee, NFL Strong Safety Roman Harper and other Charlotte leaders wear green capes as they announce a call for more superheroes. The Mayors Youth Employment Program (MYEP) seeks businesses and individuals to provide internships or career opportunities for high school students. Watch a summary of the kick-off event below.

Every part of Career Discovery Day was carefully planned with students in mind, even down to the Mayor’s one-of-a-kind cape. Five advanced apparel students selected from South Mecklenburg High School (SMHS) created the unique cape. The opportunity gave the students a chance to gain real world experience preparing a garment for a client.

SMHS Students present the cape to Mayor Roberts. Pictured (left to right): Abby Thomas, Jylea Smith, Mayor Jennifer Roberts, Ally Whitman, Kaelin Hansen and A’Jaya Cureton.

The students met with Mayor Roberts to talk about the design and what she would like represented in the cape. They sketched a plan and decided on materials. Each student offered different strengths and they highlighted each skill by working on the cape together.

“The Mayor was great to work with and she knew what she wanted.” — Kaelin Hansen, student

The students highlighted the city’s skyline on the inside of the cape, an iconic symbol of Charlotte. The Mayor also wanted a lightning bolt or something relating to a superhero like “The Flash.” A lightning bolt was added over the skyline to represent the energy hub in Charlotte. The back of the cape features the logo created for Career Discovery Day which includes the city’s crown.

“This project allowed a lot of experimentation with different techniques. We enjoyed working as a team and using each other’s talents.” –Ally Whitman, student

Details of the inside of the cape. Pictured (left to right): Jylea Smith, Ren Jetton (CMS volunteer and former teacher), Abby Thomas, Cori Stancil (Apparel Teacher), Ally Whitman, Kaelin Hansen, Mayor Roberts, A’Jaya Cureton and Debbie Dunn (CMS CTE Partnership Coordinator.)

Mayor shows off the back of the cape featuring the Career Discovery Day logo.

The students created the perfect superhero cape for Mayor Roberts to wear at Career Discovery Day and MYEP events. In the process they gained the real-world experience that MYEP seeks to provide for students.

Mayor wears cape at Career Discovery Day.

Learn more about MYEP and how you can become a hero here.