A royal thank-you from the future queen of England


By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

THOUGH they aren’t among the 1,900 guests invited to the April 29 wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton, students at Mollie Kessler School have a connection to the royal nuptials.

Dagmar Amrhein asked her art students at the school to design a dress for the bride and a tuxedo for the prince.

“I want to show them that art isn’t just painting; it’s all around them,” she said.

Art is clothing is fashion design, she said.

About 60 students drew their designs using Crayons, glitter, glue and their imaginations and sent them off to the palace in January. The school serves children in first through eighth grade, said Principal Lydia Brown.

Amrhein didn’t expect a response, but in late February, she got a letter from St. James’s Palace, the Office of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales’ secretary.

“Miss Catherine Middleton has asked me to thank you for your letter and your kind offer of services in connection with her forthcoming marriage with Prince William of Wales,” the letter said. “Miss Middleton was most delighted to receive the wedding-dress designs and has asked me to pass on her thanks and to say what a talented group your students are.”

Fifth-grader Ahmari Bell, 11, saw two dresses in a magazine provided by her teacher and combined them into her design for Middleton. She added a veil, tiara and necklace.

“I hope she’s happy with the designs that little kids like us can do and that she’s happy that we used our imagination,” she said.

Fourth-grader Issiah Jackson, 10, designed a tux with a jet pack for Prince William.

“I took it off my game,” Issiah explained.

Fifth-grader Isaiah Spencer, 11, drew two designs from which the bride could choose.

Fifth-grader Tyrice Ellis, 11, and Markies Hopkins, 10, opted for a design for the prince.

Markies’ is a secret-agent-007 suit also with a jet pack.

Fifth-grader Breasia Mitchell, 11, got her inspiration from watching TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress.”

“I made all of the dresses into one,” she said.

Fifth-grader Asia Mansell, 12, drew on her imagination.

“I just drew it,” she said.

Third-grader Madison Ritter, 9, fashioned an elaborate multicolored frock using Crayons and lots of glitter.

“I hope she likes all of our designs,” she said.