Student! models ( Top row Left-right) Elgin Phillips, I sac Manns, Darius Williams (middle) Dominic TotUn* Brandon
Hughes, Lauren Pointer (Front) Krys Sammuels, Tiera Stith and Josh Deal.
Substance Over Style
Troupe focuses
on self-esteem,
serx'ice
BY LAYLA FARMER
THE CHRONICLE
Winston-Salem State
University's Epiphany model
ing troupe has always strived
to make a statement when
they hit the stage, but organiz
ers says the group is more
than just a bunch of pretty
faces.
"'We try to build people's
self esteem and their confi
dence level thorough perform
ance." explained 24 year-old
Dominic Totten. an Epiphany
scene coordinator and long
time member. "We're a mod
els' group and we have fash
ion shows where (our mem
bers) model, but we also have
talks with them about how to
.present yourself ... as a young
woman or a young man that's
about to be a professional ."
Founded in 2001,
Epiphany is one of two mod
eling troupes on the WSSU
campus. The organization,
which has more than 50 active
members, performs'at various
events on and off campus,
gracing the runways with the
attitude and flair that is known
as urban modeling.
The models in Epiphany
don't necessarily look like the
impossibly tall, reed-thin fig
ures that are most often found
on runways in fashion desti
nations worldwide, and that is
part of the point of the organi
zation, said President
Brandon Hughes.
"We have every shape,
every color, every size (of
model)," said the 22 year-old.
"...That is what Epiphany is
really all about. You don't
have to be the stereotypical
image of a model to be beauti
ful."
The group members are as
varied in their interests and
majors as they are in their
appearance, Hughes said.
"It's a very diverse group
and I think that's what's
helped us out over the years,"
said the Charlotte native. "We
have different disciplines and
everybody can bring some
thing different to the table."
The group puts on two
fashion shows each year,
showcasing the works of local
designers and their own
tweaks to ready-to-wear fash
ions. The shows incorporate
dramatic elements, making
them more like a cross
between a play and a fashion
show. Totten said.
Participating in the perform
ances is always a treat , Totten
said.
"When the lights come on
and the curtains open, you
transform into this alter ego
character of yourself." related
the Burlington native. "It's
just like this big euphoric
moment."
The group's recent spring
show, "Lovesick," included a
socially conscious element as
well, addressing controversial
topics such as self mutilation,
suicide and domestic violence
before a sold-out crowd at the
school's Dillard Auditorium
last week. Proceeds from the
show, an excess of $1,000,
were allocated by the group
for AIDS Care Services.
"With the past two execu
tive boards, we just haven't
been afraid to go there,"
Epiphany Vice President
Allen Lockhart, 24, said of the
organization's willingness to
tackle the tough issues.
"People love us for that,
because we try to bring some
thing different (to the fore
front)."
Hughes, a business admin
istration major, says being in
Epiphany has made a big dif
ference for him in the class
room.
"Epiphany's really helped
me with my confidence
because I used to be very
shy," he remarked. "Being a
business major and a Spanish
minor, we have a lot of pre
sentations. 1 used to dread
that ... now, it's not a prob
lem."
After college, Lockhart. a
senior, mass communications
major, and Totten. a senior,
elementary education major,
say they plan to take the les
sons they've learned to the
masses. The twosome hopes
to help found modeling
troupes in some local high
schools, as a means of build
ing the poise and confidence
of students there.
Though all three men will
soon be leaving the WSSU
campus behind in pursuit of
their respective careers, they
say the lessons they learned
and the memories they created
will live on.
"For me. the best part was
when we all let our hair down
and we reflect on the stress
and the fun and everything
that we went through (to put
on a show)." Lockhart said.
"It was just so much fun to
have these connections with
people."
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What's Happening NOW in City Government
y
[ ? i VI
SPRING CLEANING
Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful is looking for volunteers to
participate in Winston-Satan's annual sprint cleaning,
otherwise known as the Great ^nerican Cleanup. Local
roadways, parks, schools and* other locations will be
cleaned on Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Individuals and groups can request an area to clean or can
be assigned to a location. All supplies are provided as well
as lunch. To sign up or for mora information, go to
www.kwsb.cityofws.org or call City Link at 727-8000.
CENSUS SAFETY ^United States
Through July, census takers will be visiting households wOflSUS
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