School fund raisers get underway

Winter may be in full swing, but area high schools are gearing up for spring with fund raisers of all shapes and sizes. Students, teachers, friends and family have put in hours of work to help these local schools put together events that will amaze attendees. Scholarship pageants, fashion shows and consignment sales have been around for decades, but each of the following programs will have their own unique twist on these family-friendly events aimed at raising funds for local school programs:

Instant Replay/Fashionata '07

The second annual Instant Replay formal wear consignment sale and the third annual formal wear fashion show, Fashionata '07, are planned for Feb. 10 at Peachtree City United Methodist Church’s Youth Annex in Peachtree City.

Instant Replay, a formal wear consignment sale, is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Peachtree City United Methodist Church, Youth Annex, Peachtree City. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the MHS football/competition cheerleading program.

At Instant Replay, consigned evening-wear and accessories will be featured. Prices will be greatly reduced from retail and all clothing will be top quality. Many items have been worn only once. J. Andrews Bridal and Formal, in Peachtree City, will also have new merchandise for sale that day.

Consignors will set the price of their own merchandise and will receive 75 percent of the sale of their items. The merchandise drop-off date is Thursday, Feb. 8 between 6 and 9 p.m. Items not sold must be picked up directly after the sale on Saturday between 3 and 4:30 p.m., and all unclaimed merchandise will be donated to the WellSpring Store in Peachtree City.

For more information on the consignment sale and to obtain a consignor number e-mail mhsconsign@mail.com or call Shannon Nerny at 770-703-7929 or Diane D‘Auria at 678-364-0497.

The Avenue Peachtree City and the students of the McIntosh Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) will proudly present the third annual Fashionata ‘07: “Scene at the Oscars” the same morning at 10:30 a.m. also at the PTCUMC Windgate Campus.

Join hosts Steve Cole and Lisa Fine, McIntosh High School assistant principals, for a talent showcase and fashion parade featuring McIntosh teachers and students who will model fashions from After Hours, Banana Republic, J. Andrew’s Bridals, Lizard Thicket, Liz Claiborne Shoes, and Top Drawer. Guests will enjoy brunch while the models showcase the latest fashions and McIntosh’s finest will serenade audience members with musical exposes. Joan and Melissa Rivers look-a-likes will appear live on the red carpet to interview local celebrities (better known as the Class of 2007) as they arrive for the “Oscars.”

The event is a critical fund raising opportunity for the students of the PTSO to be able to raise money to fund school initiatives. The event continues to grow and attract new sponsors like The Avenue Peachtree City, All Span Builders, Inc.; Catherine Cage with ReMax Around Atlanta Results; and Linda Brundrett, Tri-City Realty Group; Tony Brewer & Company; and Shepard Exposition Services. Three years ago the students started the fashion show to build camaraderie among the teachers, students, and community. The students never intended to raise any significant amount of money; however, the concept was a success. The students performed the first show to a standing room only audience and raised $4,500. The event continues to grow each year and attracts new sponsors from Peachtree City to Atlanta. Last year, the students decided to fund an extreme makeover on the school’s courtyard and raised $5,000 at Fashionata ‘06 (which was added to a $25,000 donation from a local resident) to complete the project. Each year the students work with McIntosh principal Tracie Fleming to identify a school need that directly benefit the students. 

The Fashionata story is one of success, and it truly demonstrates what a group of creative teens with a tenacious spirit can accomplish. The students work very hard behind the scenes to coordinate the activities of over 300 volunteer hours. This year’s event features over 50 people actively involved in planning efforts, with Tony Brewer & Co. and Shepard Expositions providing decorations. This year the event will be joined by the MHS football competition cheerleaders, and Crimson Pageants who is hosting the Miss Fayette Valentine Pageant and donating a portion of the proceeds to the event. It will be a fun-filled day for all. Don’t miss the fun and excitement, join the PTSO on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Peachtree City United Methodist Church (Wingate Campus) at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are $15 and are available for purchase in the office at McIntosh High School in advance. Tickets will not be available at the door. Call 770-631-3232 for more information.

Miss Starr’s Mill Pageant

Rehearsals are under way for the Miss Starr’s Mill High School Scholarship Pageant taking place Feb. 8-10 at at Willie Duke Auditorium at Starr’s Mill High School. According to drama department chairperson David Spearman the event is the largest high school scholarship pageant in the country. “Most people are not aware of the success of this event,” Spearman commented.

This year 26 students will vie for more than $5,000 in college scholarships.

Now in its sixth year, the Miss Starr’s Mill Pageant’s past winners are currently attending top-rated universities: Rikki Purdy, 2006 winner, attends Brigham Young University and is majoring in piano composition; Mandee Kulaga (2005) attends New York University majoring in theater; Amy White (2004) attends the University of Georgia majoring in broadcast journalism; Carlee Baker (2003) attends the University of Southern California majoring in theater; and Crystal Nkwocha (2002) lives in California and is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

Contestants are awarded points based on a personal interview, worth 35 points; talent, worth 35 points; evening wear, worth 15 points; and casual wear, worth 15 points.

“We rely on the expertise of three impartial judges who live outside the county and often outside the state,” Spearman said. “They tell us how much they enjoy coming here because of the caliber of talent we have at Starr’s Mill. The judges themselves are quite talented. Last year we had a Broadway performer on the panel.”

The drama department produces the pageant to fund its plays and musicals. 

Admission is $7 a night or $15 for a three-night pass. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information please call Starr’s Mill at 770-486-2710.

Miss Sandy Creek Pageant

This year’s Miss Sandy Creek Pageant will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Patriot Hall at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone.

The pageant is hosted by the Sandy Creek Choral department and all proceeds will benefit the choral program. Various local businesses contribute the prizes and honorariums for the winners and the officials who donate their time to the production.

The pageant is open to all Sandy Creek female students and many are nominated by school clubs or school affiliated activities. The contestants are then sponsored by family, friends, clubs and local businesses. Judging is based on teacher recommendations, personal interviews with each judge and the evening gown competition that evening. Last year’s winner, Melanie Long, who now attends Harvard, was selected from 28 contestants.

 One of the highlights of the pageant each year is the tuxedo fashion show in which members of the Men’s Chorus model the latest prom styles which will be provided by Savvi in Tyrone.

The Sandy Creek Choral program has received many honors under the direction of Millie Turek, and will be aided in the continuation of this tradition through funds raised at this year’s event.

The pageant is open to the public and tickets are $10 which can be purchased at the door.

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