Gowns for a good cause
There were stars in the eyes of all those who attended “A Night at the Oscars,” a pageant fundraiser hosted by the non-profit organization Sequins and Smiles on Nov. 9 in Magnolia Ballroom.
“This is the second year we have done this fundraiser,” said Ashley Tramontin, co-coordinator for the fundraiser and a senior mass communication major. “This year we wanted a theme where famous women were represented that they admired, it’s mostly celebrities.”
All the big names in Hollywood were featured at this glamorous event. The walk of fame, consisting of gold stars with the names of actors and actresses such as Heath Ledger and Charlize Theron, led through the middle of the room past the audience and the judges to an immaculately decorated stage. Two enormous golden Oscars flanked the sides of the stage along with balloons and streamers but all the attention was drawn to the 13 beautiful women in the center of the stage all dressed up in glittering gowns. The women represented famous Hollywood superstars such as Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
The contestants are all students at GCSU and representatives of several different Registered Student Organizations.
“We invited all the RSOs at this school to participate but the ones that actually did are Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Circle K, Student Ambassadors, Scrubby Bears, Collegiate 4-H, and even our own Sequins and Smiles,” Tramontin said.
There were three judges, including Herby Agnew, the acting director for Alumni Relations, Kendall Stiles, director of The GIVE center, Sara Johnson, former president of the Student Government Association and alumna of the Phi Mu sorority. They judged the contestants on enthusiasm, likeness to actress, and how they answered the question they were asked.
So whom did the Oscar go to? Ashley Olsen, actually Britney Hudson, was named the winner. Hudson was there representing Circle K. She received a digital camera and docking station and most importantly an Oscar, which was a Ken doll that was spray-painted gold.
While the initial theme might have been all about glitz and glamour, the focus throughout the night was having fun and raising money for a good cause.
“I was the emcee for the show, acting as Ryan Seacrest,” said Brian Grooms, a senior mass communication major. “This is the second time I was asked to participate and I was glad to volunteer my time. Sequins and Smiles did a fantastic job. The staff was enthusiastic and genuine about their work and the girls participating and the audience seemed to have fun.”
The majority of the gowns worn by the contestants were part of the collection donated to Sequins and Smiles, the organization wanted to showcase some of the elegant evening wear that would be given to high school girls in the community who would otherwise be unable to afford to go to prom. The dresses are given away at a luncheon organized by Sequins and Smiles. All the money raised from the $3 admission from the “Night at the Oscars” event, as well as donations will go towards funding the luncheon and supplying the girls with everything they need to go to prom.
“I attended the luncheon last year and it was a lot of fun,” said Mallery Lee, a senior mass communication major and member of Sequins and Smiles. “We are really looking forward to the luncheon this year because we hope more people will participate and those that received dresses last year for prom will return this year.”
Sequins and Smiles will gladly accept donations year round, which includes gently used prom dresses, shoes, accessories and unopened make-up, perfumes as well monetary donations. All donations can be taken to the GIVE center.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 17 2006. Filed under Features.
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