By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A high school class in Tucson is designing and manufacturing prosthetic legs, then traveling to fit them on patients around the world.
Read more Mamdani announces NYC schools are banning AI for students through 8th grade
Desert View High students work under teacher Cesar Gutierrez, who has led the program for 14 years.
“I think that students are capable of doing anything as long as there’s belief in them,” Gutierrez said.
Nearly 200 patients fitted
So far, Desert View students have designed, cut, and crafted legs for nearly 200 patients.
Senior Giselle Gutierrez said the work is not easy. She recalled fitting a man in Peru, a process she said took two days.
“I was still able to have him go home with a leg, and it was so rewarding – I was bawling my eyes out,” Giselle Gutierrez said.
College credit and career skills
Giselle Gutierrez said the program is also helping students gain professional skills and earn college credit.
Read more Judge blocks Trump’s new bid to curb birthright citizenship
“As a first-generation student, my parents weren’t able to go to college,” Giselle Gutierrez said.
Giselle Gutierrez will graduate in May with her associate’s degree.
Presenting in Chicago
In two weeks, students will travel to Chicago to present their newest design at two conferences.
“We try to make it seem like it’s not a big deal, like this is what we do, but inside, it’s just like super excited for them,” Cesar Gutierrez said.
Isabela Lisco is aReport for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and theArizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more Woman accused of driving drunk through construction zone, dragging worker
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.