Da Vinci Design Seniors Shine at Annual Showcase
On May 21st, Da Vinci Design celebrated its annual Senior Showcase at the picturesque WWOO Concrete Outdoor Kitchen and garden space in El Segundo. The evening was a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and collaboration as friends, family, and community members gathered to honor the graduating class. At the heart of the event was a shared commitment to building a better world—one project, one partnership, one student at a time.
Each senior presented a six-week capstone project—culminating demonstrations of creativity, empathy, and real-world problem solving. These projects were not only academic milestones but also powerful expressions of civic engagement, designed to make tangible impacts in communities both near and far.
Community-Driven Design Thinking in Action
This year’s Showcase was a testament to the transformative power of student-led initiatives rooted in empathy and social responsibility. Seniors applied design thinking to address pressing issues in areas such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment. The result: authentic, meaningful contributions to communities that extended well beyond the classroom.
A Spotlight on Community Impact: Hands of Hope
Among the many standout initiatives was the Hands of Hope project led by DVD seniors Lauren, Sandra, Sunny, and Franky, who partnered with Para Los Niños Charter Elementary School, located near Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Motivated by a desire to support children living in poverty, the group initiated a meaningful outreach program for students in grades TK-5.
The team visited the school eight times over the course of the project—totaling approximately 16 hours—where they volunteered in first and second grade classrooms, helping with classwork and building strong relationships with the students. To support families in need, the group organized bake sales and launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising about $300. With these funds, they assembled and distributed personal hygiene care packages—including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and fidget toys—to 10 families selected by the school.
Additionally, the group coordinated with Para Los Niños staff through a Zoom meeting, leveraging a personal connection: one student’s mother, a former employee, helped facilitate the partnership. As a final activity, the group planned a closing craft event with the students, where they’ll be making yarn bracelets together.
Lessons in Empathy and Connection
Reflecting on the experience, one senior shared:
“This project taught me a lot of patience and empathy working with these younger kids. Many of these kids have a different home life than us… Some come to school with torn shoes, without backpacks, and clothes with holes in them. It’s really nice giving back. Our Da Vinci community really wants to support these families with their time and money.”
A Celebration of Purposeful Learning
The Da Vinci Design Senior Showcase wasn't just a culmination of academic effort—it was a moving reminder of the power of purpose-driven education. Through their projects, students didn’t just demonstrate what they learned; they showed who they’ve become—designers, creative problem-solvers, and changemakers ready to leave their mark on the world.
There were so many incredible senior projects. A few others included:
- Empowerment Through Art - Da Vinci Design seniors Kylie, Ian, Estuardo and Satya partnered with allcove and Indivisible Arts in the South Bay to host powerful art workshops at allcove and Da Vinci focused on youth empowerment and mental health. The workshops—including Zine Making, Vision Boarding, Street Art, Collaging, and Graffiti Mural Making—offered young people creative outlets to express themselves, build community, and process emotions in a safe and supportive space. Addressing the youth mental health crisis, the team used art as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and advocacy across the South Bay. The students won the Community Impact Award for their efforts.
- The Lyfe Project - Since 2023, Cameron has been designing his own custom clothing line using organic cotton. His senior project marked the next step in pursuing his dream of building a sustainable fashion brand and growing his presence in the industry.
- CalKIDS - Da Vinci Design seniors Lily, Jordyn, Jesus and Jocelyn partnered with the Office of California State Treasurer Fiona Ma to raise awareness about the CalKIDS Scholarship Program, which offers up to $1,500 in free college savings for eligible students. The team launched a marketing campaign targeting Wiseburn and Da Vinci families to help them check eligibility and access the funds. As a result, over 150 families engaged with the campaign, with 45% found eligible—unlocking more than $25,000 in college savings for their futures.
We are so proud of all our graduating seniors for their unwavering dedication, creativity, and commitment to making a meaningful impact in their communities.
