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Fashion show raises money for cancer research
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East Hall Middle School student Tori Passmore walks the runway in the school’s library during a Thursday evening fashion show to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

East Hall students were moonlighting as models Thursday night in a fashion show to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

Students from East Hall middle and high schools walked the runway in the middle school library in styles from a resale boutique in Buford.

Following the show, the clothes were set up on racks in the library for kids and their parents to shop through. All of the clothing — even dresses and handbags — were priced from $1 to $5, and all proceeds went to Relay for Life.

Barbara Saunders, a horticulture teacher and the FFA adviser at East Hall High, said she encourages the students in the club to volunteer and help others.

“They decided they would like to do a fashion show,” Saunders said. “Relay for Life is really big in the East Hall community, so we decided to do that.”

The kids orchestrated the entire show, which Saunders said was a great learning experience.

“I’m hoping they’re learning leadership, some self-confidence and the realization that (there’s) something bigger than themselves,” Saunders said.

Some models had to overcome nerves before walking out in their outfits.

“It’s my fear to get up in front of people,” said East Hall High School student Leslie Becerra. “But it was pretty fun.”

“It’s something new,” FFA member Allie Rogers said.

Stephanie Wells, a media specialist at East Hall Middle School, said Plato’s Closet donates clothes to the school that they are not interested in selling.

“It started just trying to get extra uniform clothes,” Wells said. “It evolved into a much bigger thing.”

Now, the school uses the clothes as an incentive for students who perform well.

“The kids seem to enjoy ‘shopping’ when they get a 100 on a test,” Wells said.