Purple spotlights, booming speakers and spunky moderators gave the illusion of a professional runway show Tuesday evening in the EMU Amphitheater, but instead of high-fashion models, club sports team members and students involved with the sorority and fraternity community took the stage.
Approximately 25 models participated and displayed JanSport gear such as backpacks, sweatpants, T-shirts, sweatshirts and crew-neck sweatshirts.
For senior model Kylie Foster, the show was nothing to be afraid of. Even though it was her first time heading down a runway, her participation was more about helping friend and hostess Natalie Swan.
Senior crew member Michael A. Johnson, a friend of Swan, showed no sign of nerves either.
“Heck yes I am excited, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Last time I performed on stage was when I was in eighth grade,” Johnson said.
Sophomore Cristen Shope felt a bit more anxious about her role as a model in front of a crowd, but in the end, she anticipated the crowd’s reaction.
“I loved it. I had a great time, no more nerves, and I would totally do it again.” Shope said,
The fashion show is the first of three JanSport events on campus. JanSport selected the University as one of six universities to offer the student ambassador program.
“This is one of the first events we are going to have,” Swan said. “Later on this fall, a philanthropy event and film festival will be taking place.”
A break during the show was presented by junior model and Zumba choreographer Kelly Pavey.
Pavey started the dance and immediately following, a few of the models rushed into the middle of the dance floor to join her.
The dancers intrigued the audience as they performed to “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas.
The fashion show continued and was followed by a second break, where giant backpacks and sweatshirts were awarded to the winners of the dress-up and dance-off competitions.
The competitions were a hit with students in the audience who won iPod speakers, JanSport T-shirts, hats and water bottles.
Hostesses Swan and Megan Zanetos both agreed that the show was a success. Zanetos at the beginning was nervous, but she was happy everyone had fun and walked away with prizes.
“The turnout of this show makes me excited for the events that I will be hosting later this fall,” Swan said
Money raised at the upcoming philanthropy event will benefit the Big City Mountaineers, an organization that focuses on sending underprivileged kids to camp. Swan said JanSport strongly supports the organization, and she looks forward to hosting the next events later this fall.
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