By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
The Findley Center on the campus of Shepherds Ministries/Shepherds College in Union Grove was abuzz with activity Monday afternoon. Students of Shepherds College had a rare opportunity to be primped and pampered, get dressed up and then be part of a very special photo shoot.
“I love the energy in here – it’s dynamic and vibrant,” said Shepherds College Director of Marketing, Susan Griffis.
The photo shoot was for Apostrophe Magazine, a national publication whose target audience is those people with intellectual disabilities who desire to be independent.
Burlington Menswear and Chic and Unique, both of Burlington, fitted students for their clothing, which was loaned to the college. Additional clothing was provided by Ashley by Design, while Erin Luchterhand, a local Lia Sophia jewelry representative, loaned jewelry for the day. Many others were on hand to help with details throughout the day.
Griffis was the organizing force behind the big day. She said one day she was talking with the magazine’s editor, with whom she has a good working relationship. They also share similar philosophies when it comes to people with disabilities – which is to focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t do.
Griffis said the college uses Apostrophe Magazine for its students, who enjoy its fashion feature. When she found out there was no longer a fashion editor, leaving the next issue without the popular fashion feature, Griffis got to thinking.
She thought it would be a great idea to showcase Shepherds College students dressed in different clothing for different settings including sportswear or spirit wear, casual wear, business wear and formal wear.
Griffis explained the focus of the photo shoot was to give other readers of the magazine who have intellectual disabilities the dream of going to college.
Shepherds College is the country’s leading three-year post-secondary educational program for students with intellectual disabilities.
As for the local student models, Griffis said the photo shoot was a huge success. “The students were excited, gained confidence and had fun,” Griffis said.
“I believe the Shepherds students each felt beautiful in the outfits they wore, and getting pampered by the Gateway cosmetology students was the icing on the cake!” she added.
Once they were dressed up, the models entered a room transformed into a salon, where they had hair and makeup done by Gateway Technical College cosmetology students.
When they came out, accessories like jewelry and shoes were on hand for them to put on. Then, they were all ready for a volunteer photographer, Nate Peterson, to take their pictures.
Sharon Nelson is the Cosmetology and Barbering Chair, and an instructor at Gateway Technical College. She and two other instructors, along with 12 cosmetology students, were on hand to help out for the day – even though Monday was the first day of their spring break.
“I’m so proud of them all,” Nelson said. “These students gave up their first day of spring break to do this,” she added.
One of those students is Deidre Leech, who likes working with the Shepherds students and enjoys seeing how they react to their new look. “That’s one of the things I like about it – you see how happy and excited they get,” Leech said.
In addition to the wonderful volunteer support of Gateway Technical College and Peterson, the photographer, Griffis said there are many others who volunteered to make the day go well.
“I want to thank everyone for their generosity and for showing our students that their communities are made up of loving and supportive people who they can count on to assist them as they seek to live lives of dignity and independence,” Griffis said.
Shepherds College student Olya Porth was beaming with smiles in her formal gown and pretty hairdo. “I feel like I’m going to prom!” she said.
Student David Jones was sharply-dressed for business as if he was going on a job or internship interview.
He said he really enjoyed the experience. “It was so much fun – this is my first time in a magazine,” he said.
Student Charles Arnold agreed, saying it felt special. “I’ve never been in a photo shoot before.” And he said he couldn’t wait for his parents to see the magazine. “They’re really happy for me,” he said.
The Shepherds College photos will be featured in the Summer 2014 issue of Apostrophe Magazine. For more information, visit www.apostrophemagazine.com.
For more information about Shepherds College, visit www.shepherdscollege.org.
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