Shaler Area Elementary School was treated to a special visitor recently. Jamie Szramowski is a Shaler Area graduate to the core, attending Shaler Area schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. From a young age, she aspired to become a fashion designer. As she learned more from the arts offered throughout her schooling at Shaler Area, Jamie’s creativity flourished and her talents were sharpened. Her ninth-grade sewing teacher, Mrs. Rosenthall, inspired and encouraged Jamie to chase her dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Jamie graduated Shaler Area High School equipped with boundless creativity, a relentless work ethic and an unwavering confidence. She went on to thrive at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Jamie ventured to New York City with her outsized dreams at her fingertips; what once felt like an out of reach pipe dream for a Shaler Area student was taking shape. In 2017, she embarked on her own fashion designing business, MIA New York Clothing, and Jamie has never looked back, growing year over year.

She visited SAES to teach our fourth-grade students what perseverance looks like. Our ELA classes relate Jamie to Mary Anning, a character in a biography we just finished reading. Like Mary Anning, Jamie tapped into her passion to follow her dreams and then ferociously worked to achieve success. Both faced daunting challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way, but each woman doggedly worked to clear every hurdle. They share similar character traits, work ethic, and life lessons learned. Jamie emphasized the importance of showing Titan Pride throughout life, not just in school. She also spoke to the kids about the effort that they put forth in school now will greatly impact their future. The kids concluded the assembly by creating a business plan that captures their business dreams for the future.