“My favorite part about K-Town Tees is seeing everyone in my designs,” senior Alexis Kelly said.

K-Town Tees is a profitable heat-pressing business that makes customized designs for the community.

The student-run company is managed by Mrs. Kim Guest, marketing teacher.

All of the profits go toward the school’s DECA chapter.  DECA is an organization that prepares students to become future leaders and entrepreneurs.

Alumnae Nadia Koontz and Hannah Ploof ran the company last year.

Koontz, a freshman at Wayne State University, misses many things about K-Town Tees But what she misses the most is DECA.

“I miss the competition at DECA and working with other amazing kids who have great ideas,” Koontz said. “I also miss being able to work with my best friend and making the school proud.”

K-Town Tees has been passed down to seniors Alexis Kelly and Nickole Sarginson, along with junior Makalia Jenkins.

“Me and Nickole were honored that the company got passed down to us, but we know we have big shoes to fill,” Kelly said. “We have so many ideas to make the business even more successful.”

For Sarginson, thinking about the company’s future is important.

“We decided to ask Makalia if she wanted to help run the company with us,” Sarginson said. “We will be graduating soon and we want to leave the company to someone we know can handle it.”

After competing at DECA’s state Career Development Conference last March, Koontz and Ploof  finished as state finalists and advanced to national competition.

Jenkins, Kelly, and Sarginson plan to follow in Koontz’s and Ploof’s footsteps.

Koontz believes that the girls will have no problem continuing to make K-Town Tees thrive.

“I think Lexi, Nickole, and Makaila will do amazing just because I know that their personalities mix well and that they are passionate about winning and the project in itself,” Koontz said.

Jenkins, Kelly, and Sarginson will compete at the DECA state competition in March at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

If the girls finish as finalists, they will advance on to the International Career Development Conference.

The International Career Development Conference, held in April, is in Anaheim, Calif.

“We plan on doing whatever it takes to quality for nationals,” Sarginson said. “We are determined.”

Jenkins, Kelly, and Sarginson are competing in the Learn and Earn Project category.

This event involves a 30-page paper on how the business was formed and how it continues to thrive.

“This project has not been easy but we know all our hard work will pay off in March,” Jenkins said.

The girls continue printing new designs for new companies as they prepare to compete this coming March.

“Our most recent design is our ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’ T-shirts and crewnecks,” Kelly said. “They’re red and green and selling like crazy, so come to the Hornets Nest and buy one.”

Koontz wishes nothing but the best for the future of K-Town Tees.

“I hope K-Town Tees continues to grow and create more unique styles for Kearsley supporters to represent in public, Koontz said. “It is an amazing project, and I have very high hopes for it’s outcome.”