Photo by Todd V. Wolfson

Unofficial Griffin mascot, Frances the dog, musician Max in understated leather vest, and painter Jules in delicate eyelet half-blouse enjoy the last few days of summer shade.

Eleven years ago, we made some new friends. Back in 2002, we featured students attending the Griffin School as models in our DIY fashion spread "Back to Cool" (August 2, 2002).

This year, we invited Iana Witham, Griffin class of 2003 and current stylist at Hearts & Robots salon in East Austin to come back to class, meet the new crop, and drop some fashion advice along the way. Iana grabbed fellow stylist, 2002 model, Griffin classmate, and lead singer for Austin bands the Carrots and Party Girl, Rose Russo to assist. The two fashionistas lugged a few steamer trunks' worth of tights, button-ups, band Ts, skinny legs, hair extensions, and color to share with the new kids. We contacted our original photographer, the brilliant Todd V. Wolfson. Toy Joy and Las Cruxes eagerly lent fashions, shades, backpacks, lunch boxes, bling, and other cultural ephemera. And of course, our brainy models came stocked with their own fashion sense.

We also invited a few experienced academic-types to share ideas about back-to-school preparation that transcends book bags and lunch boxes. Our intern, Jordan Gass-Pooré, herself an English and Mass Comm senior at Texas State University, conducted a panel discussion that begins below and threads throughout this photo feature, lending insight to those experiencing transition anxiety and end-of-summer blues.

Many thanks to Adam and Caroline Wilson and the parents at the Griffin School for trusting us with their young folks. And special thanks to our models: Jendayi Bonds, Max Chee-Garza, Jules Cordova, Koop Kiersted, Ian Laurel, and Alex Vasquez. May your remaining academic years be filled with the same promise and light you shared during our shoot.