An Akron high school senior with dreams of becoming a fashion designer has received the opportunity of a lifetime after appearing on a national television talk show.
Troy Weiss, a student at Firestone Community Learning Center, was invited to The Kelly Clarkson Show, where his journey into fashion design was shared with a national audience.
A Surprise from a Fashion Idol
During the segment, Weiss was surprised on set by costume designer Paul Tazewell, whose work he has admired for years. Both share roots in Akron, making the encounter especially meaningful.
The production team arranged travel for Weiss and his mother to New York for the taping. The theme of the show centered on the upcoming film “Wicked For Good,” tying into Tazewell’s background in costume design for large-scale productions.
Discovering Fashion Through School Support
Weiss explained that his creativity flourished at Firestone, where he found an environment that supported experimentation and originality. He described how discovering costume design opened an entirely new way of expressing himself.
He told the host that he had followed Tazewell’s career closely and saw him as a role model, not only for his success but for how he communicates emotion through clothing.
Words of Encouragement from a Mentor
When asked about Weiss’s work, Tazewell praised both his talent and confidence. He told the student that his communication skills and personal presence were far beyond what he himself had achieved at the same age.
Tazewell encouraged Weiss to remain confident in his identity, reminding him that success in fashion often requires believing in your vision even before others see it.
As a final surprise, Weiss was given tickets to a Broadway production that Tazewell had also worked on, further connecting the student to the world he hopes to enter.
A Community Celebrates Its Rising Star
Back at Firestone, classmates and teachers gathered for a watch party to support Weiss. Students dressed in themed colors inspired by the show, turning the screening into a school-wide celebration.
Weiss traveled with his mother, who described her son as outgoing, creative, and full of energy. Although his early interest was music, fashion quickly became his primary passion during high school.
He currently serves as president of his school’s Black Student Union and symphonic choir, maintaining leadership roles while preparing for his next step.
Looking Toward the Future
After graduation, Weiss plans to study fashion design at Kent State University. His recent television appearance has strengthened his determination to turn creativity into a career.
For Weiss, the moment was more than a television feature — it was proof that dreams built in classrooms can reach much further than expected.
