Viral Video Sparks Calls to Save Roosevelt High Fashion Program

Students and alumni advocate to keep the school's fashion design curriculum from being discontinued.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 6:20am

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A viral video from a Roosevelt High School fashion design teacher has sparked a wave of support from students and alumni who are advocating to keep the school's fashion design program from being discontinued. The program, which has provided valuable educational and career opportunities for students, is facing potential cuts by the Fresno Unified School District.

Why it matters

The fashion design program at Roosevelt High has been an important part of the school's curriculum, allowing students to gain practical skills and experience in areas like costume design, uniform creation, and job interview preparation. Losing the program would deprive students of these valuable educational and career-building opportunities.

The details

The video, posted by Roosevelt High fashion design teacher Tamara Norris, raised concerns that the program could soon be sunset. Since then, current and former students have taken to social media and public meetings to urge Fresno Unified School District leaders to reconsider the decision. Students and alumni have highlighted the program's importance in providing practical skills, creative outlets, and career preparation for the school community.

  • The viral video was posted by Roosevelt High fashion design teacher Tamara Norris.
  • Students and alumni have spoken out at recent Fresno Unified School Board meetings to advocate for the program.

The players

Tamara Norris

A fashion design teacher at Roosevelt High School who posted a viral video raising concerns about the potential discontinuation of the school's fashion design program.

Maribel Sanchez

A Roosevelt High graduate who was upset by the possibility of losing the fashion design program, which she says has done a lot for her and other students.

Isabella Saldana

A fashion design class advocate who says students in the program create a variety of projects for the campus community, including school athletic uniforms, theater costumes, and suits for students preparing for job interviews.

Ian Durant

A Roosevelt High graduate who says the fashion design class was such an important part of his high school experience that he enrolled multiple times.

Branden Vue

A 17-year-old Roosevelt High senior who participated in an on-campus protest advocating for the fashion design program.

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What they’re saying

“I was angry, I was upset, I was sad. I kept thinking about how much the program has done for me and how much — how many students, how people, wouldn't have that.”

— Maribel Sanchez, Roosevelt High graduate (yourcentralvalley.com)

“It doesn't make sense to me to cut a career technical education art program at a school for the arts.”

— Maribel Sanchez, Roosevelt High graduate (yourcentralvalley.com)

“I ended up taking the class six different times over the last four years before I graduated.”

— Ian Durant, Roosevelt High graduate (yourcentralvalley.com)

“At the end of the day, it's education. Everyone needs an education. And in order to get that education, you need school, you need courses. If those courses are being taken away from you, where is the education?”

— Branden Vue, Roosevelt High senior (yourcentralvalley.com)

“When you talk about cutting the program, you aren't just cutting a class. You're cutting a lifeline to our entire campus.”

— Isabella Saldana, Fashion design class advocate (yourcentralvalley.com)

What’s next

Fresno Unified School District leaders are expected to make a decision on the future of the Roosevelt High fashion design program in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The viral video and outpouring of support from students and alumni highlight the vital role the fashion design program plays at Roosevelt High, providing valuable educational and career-building opportunities. The potential loss of this program would deprive students of these important resources, underscoring the need for the Fresno Unified School District to reconsider its decision.