Schools

Whiz Kid: East Hills Middle School Student Turns Tabs Into Treasures

Tess Garcia is using her artistic skills to shine spotlight on local historic preservation.

 

Each week, Bloomfield Patch features students doing amazing things in their schools and in their communities. This week's Whiz Kid has a passion for the performing arts and is making a name for himself on film, television and center stage.

 

Find out what's happening in Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tess Garcia

Age: 13

School: East Hills Middle School

Find out what's happening in Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Achievement: This 8th grader started her own business called Pop Can Couture, and began creating jewelry out of pop can tabs for more than a year. The budding entrepreneur and philanthropist recently donated more than $150 portions of the artwork sales to Preservation Bloomfield.

Her jewelry, which includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings and hair clips, now sells at Yellow Door Art Market in Berkley and Restyle Child in Birmingham. Twenty percent of all sales goes to Preservation Bloomfield and its ongoing effort to raise money for restoration of the Barton Farmhouse at the the Bowers School Farm. Earlier this year, Garcia donated all of her sale proceeds ($110) from the to the East Hills Student Council, of which she is a member.

Key to Awesomeness: Tess' grandparents, John and Nancy Marshall, are involved with Preservation Bloomfield, and she wanted to contribute to a local cause she and others care about. She enjoys being able to see progress on the farmhouse.

"Tess has learned a lot about having her own business and money management," said her mom, Julie Garcia. "She enjoys making something new out of an everyday item that make people happy."

Tess plays tennis and lacrosse, but said designing jewelry comes naturally to her.

"It's a great way to express myself," she said.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Bloomfield Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Art.Aisner@patch.com. Please include all these details:

  • Nominator's name
  • Whiz Kid's name and age
  • Whiz Kid's school
  • Whiz Kid's accomplishment
  • What makes him or her successful


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