(Archive May 2018) From the Observer Staff: Dress for Success Event

It has come to our attention that there was some misleading information in our previous edition of The Mount Observer regarding the Dress for Success Fashion Expo.

The 2018 Dress for Success Fashion Expo was the biggest it has been to date, involving not only the Parent Support Group (PSG), but also Women of the World (WOW) and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) clubs. Planning for this event began in January and continued up to the event. Members of PSG worked tirelessly to be sure the event went smoothly. 

PSG members include Elizabeth LaPan (PSG President), Nicole Wetherby, Lisa Ferrara-Caron, Stefani Barton, Marie Ewing, and Erin Jones. According to Ann Reynolds, CCAMPIS Advisor, Student Services, and PSG advisor, the students of is group deserve endless thanks and recognition for the success of the event. 

The WOW club members Gina Vilayphone (WOW President) and Jacquelyn Vokey also created new opportunities for this event, including hair and makeup services from Toni and Guy of Worcester, also Amanda Gidopoulos of Wicked Hair and Nails of Leominster and Vilayphone of Mia Bella Salon in Leominster as well as Vokey, a freelance makeup artist. 

Vokey said, “It was really important to give people the confidence to go and pick out clothes, wear makeup, and look professional.” 

Volunteers from Toni and Guy of Worcester were Destinee Ferrara, and her teacher Anna, Adrienne Hall, Alyssa McDonald, and Abeeha Bhatti assisted with the makeup and hair. WOW also organized student models to have a fashion show and exemplify dressing for success. 

Those models were Jharel Jerez, who brought in many students to the event, Tianna Caisse, and Jasmine Ruiz. Vilayphone said, “It was great to see everyone get together and learn how to look professional.”

The SAGA members are Taylor Rameau (SAGA President), Felix Oliver and Ayanna Broduer-Edmonds. Felix Oliver stepped up to take headshots for the event when the original photographer canceled last minute. SAGA provided Thank You cards to send to employers after an interview, while Pat Brewerton provided the template for students to fill those cards with.

The Dress for Success event was scheduled before the Career Fair so students could learn and be motivated to dress professionally. Vilayphone said, “This event definitely helped boost the Career Fair.” The Career Fair provided students and the local community with a variety of job opportunities and internships. 

Reynolds, after the event, said in an email, “…Thank you to all who donated clothes, accessories and beauty products, Pat Brewerton, who encourages us every year to do this event, David Iannaccone (SAGA Club Advisor), for going above and beyond, Shelley Nicholson, and her ‘Project Runway’ advice to the ‘shoppers,’ Bill and Gardner who were there at set-up and clean-up…Ginny’s Thrift Store and ‘My Sisters Closet,’ for their donation of clothing and support, and thank you to all those I may have forgotten to thank!” Reynolds thanked every student who was previously named above, as well as all other students who helped make the event possible.