At first glance, a sun-inspired pendant with intricate designs may just look like a piece of art. But to senior Halo McKibben, it’s a reflection of something far more personal.
McKibben is one of dozens of students enrolled in Allen High School’s jewelry class. The hands-on elective teaches students the fundamentals of metalwork, design, and jewelry-making. But for many, the class becomes more than just a creative outlet – it becomes a way to explore identity, honor heritage, and express life beyond school.
“It’s so incredible to me,” McKibben said. “It’s seriously my favorite class. I like being able to wear what I make. It’s an
incredible experience.”
Senior Steven Lee draws inspiration from his Korean heritage when designing his pieces. One of his most meaningful works is a pendant More than Metal Allen Jewelry Students Connect to Their Culture and Personal Life Through Fashioning Jewelry inspired by a demon from Korean folklore.
“During that time [the past year], I was really fascinated by Korean folklore,” Lee said. “So I really looked at historical designs, and I just relied on that to make my design.”
For Lee, making jewelry is not only a way to stay connected to his roots but also a means of capturing memories and drawing inspiration from the specific pieces he encounters in his personal life.
“I think I remember one of my uncles wearing a specific piece of jewelry, and I just thought that was really cool,” Lee said. “So it just inspired me to make my own.”
While Lee’s inspiration came from a single piece his uncle wore — not something passed down, but something that left an impression — other students are influenced by family traditions that span generations. For senior Allison Beach, that tradition is pearls.
“All the women in my family have some version of, like, real pearl jewelry,” Beach said. “So it’s just a sweet thing. It’s like, as a young woman, you get, we’ve all gotten some sort of pearl jewelry.”
While Beach honors the women in her family through pearls, she also draws inspiration from a growing tradition – gardening with her family.
“Last year, I did a piece. It was a sunflower pendant that I engraved and cut out, and shaped,” Beach said. “I do a lot of gardening. It’s something I really like. I find it calming, in a way, to just do my thing.”
As Beach acknowledges a tradition that continues to grow, McKibben draws inspiration from the values of a certain family member.
“I do a lot of sun-related things because my mom’s Wiccan. So she’s really into gods and stuff. And she really likes the sun one. So I do a lot of sun-related stuff,” said McKibben.
