Abby Duwalt, 14, matches Timberland boots ($56) with her outfit by Decoded. The sleeveless rhinestone shirt and jeans are priced at $19 and $29, respectively. All clothes can be found at AAFES. (Robin Hoecker / S&S)
Abby Duwalt, 14, matches Timberland boots ($56) with her outfit by Decoded. The sleeveless rhinestone shirt and jeans are priced at $19 and $29, respectively. All clothes can be found at AAFES. (Robin Hoecker / S&S)
Laura Duwalt, 11, at right, is wearing a Ponytails top ($9.99) and matching camouflage pants ($12.99). (Robin Hoecker / S&S)
Tyler Ziegler, 7, is ready to slide into the new school year, wearing an Oshkosh T-shirt ($11) and cargo shorts ($18). (Robin Hoecker / S&S)
Cyenna Vieyra, 10, checks out some Paper Mate Vibz pencils ($2.50). She is wearing a two-piece top by Ponytails ($9.99), an AAFES brand. (Robin Hoecker / S&S)
Students are ready to return to Department of Defense Dependents Schools wearing the latest in back-to school fashions. (Robin Hoecker / S&S)
What’s the best thing about going back to school?
“Shoes, shoes and shoes,” said 11-year-old Lashawna Wilks as she nibbled on a slice of pizza at the Vogelweh food court in Germany.
“I get two new pairs of shoes each year.”
For children, the month of August marks the end of summer and the start of the back-to-school season. It’s time for the start of a new grade — and perhaps a new school — and the time to make new friends.
While returning to the classroom may fill students with emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety, it is also a great excuse to go shopping.
Buying new clothes and school supplies is a chance for students to express themselves and reflect on how they want to be seen.
“Your clothes say something about your personality,” Lashawna said. “I wear pink all the time. That means I’m kind of a girly girl.”
Children in military families have unique challenges when it comes to finding the clothes they want.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service provides a good selection, but the new things tend to disappear quickly, said Rhonda Ziegler, whose sons Zach, 12, and Tyler, 7, will be attending Ramstein-area schools this year.
“You have to get there fast,” Ziegler said.
With so many families shopping at the same stores, children have to be creative to come up with a one-of-a-kind, back-to-school look.
“I’m going to buy plain things and decorate them myself,” said 14-year-old Abby Duwalt.
But looks are not everything.
“I care about how I look but I also care about my education,” Lashawna said.
When it comes to school supplies, AAFES makes shopping a little bit easier for parents by providing a list of supplies required by Department of Defense Dependents Schools.
“They provide everything on that list,” said Ziegler. “It really helps a lot.”
But that is not what the kids themselves are necessarily most interested in. When he was asked what he was most looking forward to, Zach replied: “I just want to get away from my little brother.”
