Sixth-graders learn knitting

Photo provided by JENNA BLADES -- Chicks with Sticks member, Johnnie Whisenhunt, demonstrates to Hammond Westside Montessori student, Divya Chadha, how to use the materials to knit a scarf.

Advocate staff report

Melanie Sanchez, a teacher at Hammond Westside Montessori, started a knitting club for sixth-grade students. Sanchez, who belongs to a knitting club called Chicks With Sticks, is teaching the students how to knit.

Sanchez and other members of Chicks With Sticks brought purses, scarves and hats that they made to inspire the students, school officials said.

Ten students joined the club. Sarah Brabham, Kate Perrilloux and Deberal Patterson, teachers at HWM, and Diane Vaccaro, a friend of HWM, also volunteered.

Chicks With Sticks volunteers were Laurie Ott, Carolyn Dupont and Johnnie Whisenhunt. The sixth-grade knitters are Zamiri Collier, Bryla Gordon, Samyria Edwards, Frances Anthony, Divya Chadha, Destinee Travis, Rebecca Corkern, Jaelynn Ramsey, Jasmine Alexander, Infinity Thomas and Shakira Allbritton.