Handmade with Purpose: Students Showcase Skills at Transition Academy Market Day

(This article was written by Abigail Muniz Garcia and was featured in the April 2026 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)

Photo courtesy of Transition Academy.

Beaming smiles greet you from behind the tables laden with handmade items created by students from Transition Academy. Teamwork, entrepreneurship, and customer interaction are just a few of the skills the students acquire from markets such as the Transition Academy Market Day on April 29, which will happen from 4 pm to 6 pm at the school, located at 2000 N. 21^st Street in Harlingen.

Maira Gutierrez, special education teacher at Transition Academy, says that the market allows students to experience real-world opportunities to practice employability and life skills.

“The market provides an authentic learning environment where students can apply the skills they learn in the classroom in a real-life setting,” she said. “Events like these allow us to showcase the incredible abilities of our students while helping them build confidence and independence as they prepare for life after high school.”

Photo courtesy of Transition Academy.

Transition Academy is a Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) educational facility that focuses on preparing students with special needs for life after high school. Gutierrez mentions that students not only create the items that will be sold at the market, but they have a hand in the different areas of the market organization.

“Students are involved in every step of the process. They research trending items to see what types of products people may be interested in purchasing,” she said. “They also help consider the cost of materials, stay within a budget, and determine pricing for the items.”

Students also prepare the displays, help package items, help with set-up, and greet customers and guests. Some of the items that will be for sale at the market include wreaths, bracelets, art canvases, and baked goods the students make themselves after following recipes and learning food preparation skills.

“This experience also teaches them about product presentation, quality, and customer satisfaction,” she said.

Gutierrez says community support plays an important role in making the market meaningful for the students.

Photo courtesy of Transition Academy.

“My hope is that this event continues to grow and provide even more opportunities for our students to practice real-world skills,” Gutierrez said. “I hope visitors leave feeling inspired by the creativity and effort our students put into their work. This market is a wonderful opportunity for the community to see the talents and abilities our students have developed.”

This year’s market holds special significance as students will be commemorating and honoring a former life skills teacher.

“This year’s market is especially meaningful because we are honoring the memory of one of our beloved life skills teachers, Lizette Sandoval from Harlingen High School South. In her honor, our students will feature “Lizette’s Lemonade.” It is a special way for us to celebrate her impact and continue the spirit of kindness and dedication she brought to our students,” she said.

Gutierrez invites the public to go and support the hard work students have put into preparing for the market.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and the work they have put into this event. We hope the community will come out to support them and celebrate their talents, creativity, and dedication,” she said.

For more information and for any other updates, please follow Transition Academy on Facebook.