Fourth Graders Embody E pluribus unum through Creative T-Shirt Designs

Lower School “Specials” teachers at Fort Worth Country Day regularly work collaboratively to enhance curriculum projects, weaving their expertise into interdisciplinary initiatives throughout the year. A standout example is the beloved fourth-grade T-shirt project, which merges leadership education with creative expression. 

The tradition began years ago with Health and Wellness Counselor Theresa Fuss, who led fourth grade leadership classes and she created a T-shirt with the motto “Leading With Heart.” Building on this foundation, Visual Arts Teacher Dorrine DeChant expanded the project to include a graphic design unit in her fourth grade art classes where students create their own leadership T-shirts, reflecting FWCD’s core values: integrity, kindness, courage, respect, responsibility, and scholarship. All students participate. 

This year’s theme is E pluribus unum (from many, one), Fuss has been engaging students in thoughtful discussion about this phrase, ensuring they grasp its significance. DeChant then guided students in exploring how E pluribus unum resonates with them personally, encouraging them to translate their reflections into unique and meaningful designs.

This year, the fourth grade class created a total of 76 designs. Fuss, along with FWCD’s Graphic Design Manager Lisa Koger, narrowed the field to 10 finalists: Eric Chu, Georgia Dean, Louis Epps, Cristian Interiano, Campbell McGuire, CC Rodgers, Lucy Shaw, Drake Shields, William Standish, and Alex Zook. The entire class then cast their votes to choose the design for their T-shirt, resulting in a tie between Dean and Zook. A second round of voting decided the winner: Dean, with her design, “Like flowers, we are all different but together, we make a garden.” This design will be printed on the T-shirt fourth graders will wear on various leadership occasions in 2025.

Each year, the project yields diverse creative T-shirts that showcase the students’ understanding and embodiment of leadership and values. It’s a powerful way for fourth-graders to leave their mark while embracing the qualities that define FWCD’s community. All the T-shirts are currently on display in the Sid W. Visual Arts Center.