From Beaufort County Community College

The dressing room was overflowing with excitement on Saturday night as the women of Beaufort County Community College’s Club Waves put the final touches on one another’s makeup and hair. Friends and family came to support their fundraising fashion show, part of a fundraising effort for a trip to New York City.

Behind the curtains, the participants practiced their solo walks and their group marches, occasionally smiling, but taking their poses and turns seriously. Cosmetology program Director Velma Worsley watched over the group. The mothers among the group had entered their children into the event. In the dressing room, the young models ran underfoot as the adults rehearsed and finished curling hair.

Melissa McCray emceed the show, bringing out the women, children and men throughout the evening. Alyssa Peed, president of Club Waves, introduced the event in a sparkling black gown. Peed later said, “The group made teamwork look easy.” Next up were the children, some of whom took the stage confidently, smiling and posing for cameras.

Others shyly made their way onto the stage, sometimes with the guidance of an older child. There were denim shirts with cowboy boots, teal tanks, Hello Kitty dresses, black and white tights, camo vests and casual styles.

The women of Club Waves were joined my BCCC staff during the “Strictly Business” portion, in which they showed off their formal and casual business attire. The fashion sections were interspersed with songs from cosmetology instructor Kim Moulden and student Bethany Gibbs, as well as interpretive dance from Morgan and Faith Worsley. The “Anything Goes” section brought out the gold jackets, sequins, polka dots, tights and animal prints. The wild colors of hair went along with the wild textures and patterns. The umbrellas twirled during the “It’s Raining Outside” section, where the models displayed their colorful raingear.

The children put on their Sunday best for the “Kid’s Church” section, after which the adults and youth took the stage for the “At the Salon” section. The models took turns styling hair and getting styled. The crowd roared as the men took the stage for the “Men in Black” section, where family and staff showed off their formalwear. The women followed in their best red formal and casual outfits during the “Women in Red” section.

The models ended the night in their stunning evening dresses in the “After Five” section.

Alyssa Peed said the group raised $700 from the event, adding to the $1,400 the group raised during a yard sale and lunch plate sale earlier this school year. “We are thankful to all the people who helped out with the show,” said Peed. “We could not have pulled this off without the support of the staff and families involved.” The funds will help send 12 people from the group to New York City to get a taste of the fashion industry.