Leechburg Area first graders collaborate with high school students to create custom candles
Some Leechburg Area High School art students are on a melt mission, helping first graders create homemade candles for the holidays.
Almost two dozen students at David Leech Elementary School participated in a Creation Candles workshop at the high school, hosted by the art marketing, design and technology class taught by Shayle Prorok.
Creation Candles is a student-run, in-house business that operates on campus.
Prorok implemented the candle project last year at the request of her students.
First grade teachers Niva Vargo, Bobbi Watson and Kelsey Craig approached Prorok, asking whether the students could work together on some type of project.
Prorok and her colleagues brainstormed ideas and came up with the free Creation Candles event.
“The Creation Candle students were ecstatic,” Prorok said of the collaboration.
The art students created a plan and made sure safety was a priority while engaging 5- and 6-year-olds with hot wax.
Small teacher-monitored stations allowed for one-on-one interaction as the first graders learned about candle-making.
The high schoolers donned custom “Creation Candle Elf Squad” T-shirts for the occasion.
The candles are made with 100% soy wax.
“It was fun being an elf and talking to the children,” art student Eliza Trusiak said.
Art student Arianna Weston said the youngsters embraced the project and were on their best behavior.
“It was nice to see the amount of respect the students had for each other and everybody around them,” Weston said.
First grader Tenleigh Pierce liked the atmosphere.
“I liked getting to color my gift bag and listening to the Christmas music,” she said.
Watson said having each first grader create a homemade gift was a hit.
“The students were excited to go visit Creation Nation and make Christmas gifts for their families,” Watson said. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Mrs. Prorok and her students on a project highlighting a STEM-based activity.”
First graders designed their candle and an all-white gift bag to put their candle in.
Creation Candles are available in 30 scents. They cost $10 each.
Prorok estimated several hundred candles have been sold.
Proceeds go back into the business to purchase materials and different equipment to expand the business.
All candles are hand-poured and the students print the labels at the high school’s Creation Nation facility, which is dedicated to art and design.
Junior Helynn Gazda enjoyed the enthusiasm demonstrated by the first graders.
“It was rewarding to see the students smiling and happy,” Gazda said.
Creation Candles have been sold at North Fork Makers in Brookville, Pa., and Prorok said plans are in the works for the candles to be sold locally.
“The goal is to make Creation Candles a permanent, self-sustaining business, entirely run by students,” Prorok said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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