The team of students at Hamilton County's Hixson High School who have come together to design shoes, have advanced to the next round of the national competition hosted by the shoemaker Vans.
The "Custom Culture" contest seeks shoe designs featuring two themes: local flavor and "Off the Wall," the company's slogan.
The Hixson High team is in the Top 5, announced Monday, and is in the running for a $75,000 prize for the school. The four runner-ups recieve a guaraunteed $10,000 prize.
The team includes students Charlie Dickerson, Alia Smith, Michaela Roberts, Logan Summers, Addison Flannigan, Luke Pfennig, Jade Sharp, Amy Gonzales, Sarah Bargerstock, Josh Green, Tori Gifford, Jocelyn Salter, Suhani Patel, Amanda Lin and Devin Goforth.
To showcase "local flavor," the Hixson High students highlighted iconic sights and symbols of the Greater Chattanooga area, the release states. The local entry represents Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Incline Railway, the Choo Choo, Point Park, and cultural icons such as the Delta Queen and the Cherokee Water Spider. The Tennessee River can be seen coursing over both shoes, bringing them together.
In the "Off the Wall" design, students built platforms to create a cavern underneath. The cave is lit by fairy lights, making the cast resin crystals gleam. Mushrooms dot the subterranean landscape, and a monster defends his treasures. Moss encircles the trim of the shoes, providing a smooth transition from top to bottom. Living plants are placed inside the shoes, while artificial sprouts pop up near the toe.
The winner and grand prize event will be announced next week, according to the competition website.