03 Feb Middle School’s Fashion Show To Feature Goodwill Apparel

Girls Learn to Feel Great About Themselves While Shopping on a Budget

Bella LeMieux snagged a silver top and feathery peach skirt for $9.  Kaitlynn Hibdon chose a grey sweater-dress, pink leggings and sparkly boots for $14. And Christina Brenner bought light-blue pants and a “really cute” purple blouse for $13.

They were among 36 girls from Lebanon’s Winfree Bryant Middle School who combed through the racks at the local Goodwill store Saturday, seeking runway-ready expressions of their unique style. The store opened an hour early for the group.

The students from grades 6-8 will show off their newly acquired apparel when the school presents its third annual Second-Hand Chic fashion show at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 in the school auditorium. Preparation for the event, which will be open to the public, introduces the girls to wise shopping habits, showing them it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to find stylish clothes.

“It’s eye-opening for everybody,” Principal Becky Kegley said. “We have girls who go to expensive stores and never thought about shopping at Goodwill. They suddenly realize, ‘Wow. This is really cool. I can shop here and get just as good of an outfit.’”

But dressing sharp on a budget is just one of the lessons students learn, Kegley said.

“Middle school is a really hard time for girls. A lot of them have low self-esteem, so we give them a moment to shine,” she explained. “Also, it’s about supporting the girls and finding mentors to help them see their true value and worth.”

Participants in the show — 12 from each grade — were hand-picked from a group of about 300 interested girls represent a wide range of backgrounds and resources, Kegley said. Each of the participants shopped with a teacher or parent to help them select their outfits.

Saturday’s purchases were made mostly with funds donated by educators at Winfree Bryant Middle School.

Supporting Goodwill, which provides training and employment opportunities for people in Wilson County and across Middle Tennessee, makes the experience even better, Kegley said. Her students agreed.

“It makes me feel really good, because I feel like I’m giving somebody a job,” said eighth-grader Christina Brenner.

On the day of the show, a local beauty salon will provide free makeup and hair styling, and restaurants will provide dinner and intermission treats. Then, the girls will head out under the lights, accompanied by music, to model their outfits.

“Any time we can get the message across that they are beautiful, that they have true worth, and that we love them, we have accomplished great things,” Kegley said.

SECOND-HAND CHIC FASHION SHOW

When: Thursday, Feb. 19

6 p.m.

Where: Winfree Bryant Middle School auditorium

1213 Leeville Pike

Lebanon, TN

About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
For more than 55 years Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. In 2014, Goodwill served 28,159 people in Middle and West Tennessee and placed 9.558 people in jobs. More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be obtained online at  www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231.