Eight students from Corry Area High School brought down the house with their sass, flirty hair flips, exaggerated dab, and genuine joy as they strutted down the runway decked in some mighty fine threads.
Mya and Cait, Kayla and Dylan, Jamie and Brian, John and Brady made a name for themselves as fashion models in the first Project Runway: Youth Experience Success Fashion Show sponsored by Goodwill Industries of N.E. OH and N.W. PA. The goal of the event was to showcase the students in work ready clothing and casual work attire as part of their year-long instruction in job readiness skills.
About 70 people, including school district officials, faculty, family and friends, attended the midday event in May, held in the school gymnasium.
Classroom instruction, held twice a week, focused on interviewing, resume preparation, phone etiquette, body language, and, equally as important, teamwork, conflict negotiation, independent living and financial literacy.
Instructor Mary Murray designed the fashion show to showcase the students and what they have learned, but also to give them confidence and a sense of appropriate attire for a job interview. Given the incredible collection of clothing in the Summit Goodwill store in Erie, PA, it was decided that the students, many of whom might not have ever worn a suit jacket or high heels, should have an opportunity to shine in dress suit or a tailored jacket and skirt.
And that, they did. Diminutive Mya, who appeared first, is no stranger to catwalk moves. Though she might be small in stature, she owned the room – strolling down the runway in a striped dress, complimentary designer jacket, and her peach purse swinging in rhythm with the music. She pivoted, hand on hip, flipped her freshly cut bob, and strolled like a pro, although this was the first time she, Cait, and Kayla had ever worn high heels.
Kayla, who followed, didn’t let her braces prevent her smile from stretching nearly the entire width of the school gymnasium, as she made her way down the lighted runway. Cait, who stands 6 feet tall at age 16, clearly enjoyed her moment in the sun. She exuded bold confidence matched only by the bold orange designer jacket and floral skirt she modeled, complete with 3-inch coral pumps!
Dylan was the epitome of California dreamin’ dressed in a double-breasted tan jacket, soft pink shirt and tie and cuffed pale olive slacks – all of which complimented his lanky, “model-esque” frame. With his short cropped haircut, twinkling blue eyes and beatific smile, Dylan could easily have strolled a New York City runway.
Brian, who was dazzled by the prospect of wearing a tie, couldn’t contain his excitement as he grinned broadly, waving to the crowd in his smart, brown suit and blue striped shirt. Jamie, known as a showman at school for his antics which makes everyone laugh, drew upon his softer side, blowing kisses to the audience with outstretched arm, confidently dressed in a navy shirt, tie and khaki slacks.
John, tall and quiet, looked handsome in a navy suit jacket, striped shirt and khaki slacks. The dramatic change from his usual t-shirt and athletic pants, brought his mother to tears, according to several members of the audience. And finally, there was Brady who unleashed a few surprises on teachers and guests. Although he had rehearsed his dab – a move made popular by a professional football player and credited to the Atlanta hip hop movement – he finished out the show with a Michael Jackson moonwalk.
Though one might not necessarily equate clothing with empowerment, the two went hand and hand at this fashion show. The event was transformational, leaving a lasting impression upon the audience. More important, was the transformation in the students themselves. They were the picture, -- not of fine clothes -- but of confidence, empowerment and hope.
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