A heartwarming collaboration between Islip High School and Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School recently unfolded during a special monster doll field trip. The Sherwood students and their teacher, Melissa Trocchio-Cohen, had previously unleashed their creativity by sketching imagined monster dolls on paper. These whimsical drawings served as the foundation for the collaboration between the two schools.

Ali Catalano’s fashion class students at the high school, equipped with expert hand-sewing skills, were entrusted with the task of bringing these imaginative creatures to life. With great care and attention to detail, the fashion students meticulously transformed the two-dimensional sketches into three-dimensional dolls. They carefully selected fabrics, matched colors and skillfully sewed each doll’s components together. The result was a collection of vibrant and unique monster dolls that far exceeded the expectations of the elementary students.

The day of the field trip was filled with excitement and anticipation as the high schoolers traveled to Sherwood to deliver the finished products. As they arrived, they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers and smiles from the younger students. The Sherwood students eagerly received their completed monster dolls, marveling at the attention to detail and the transformation from paper to fabric.

“This collaborative effort went beyond the mere act of sewing,” Catalano said. “It was a powerful demonstration of mentorship and inspiration. The high school students served as role models, sharing their knowledge and expertise with the younger students. They provided guidance, encouragement and a valuable lesson in teamwork.”