– Lizette Avalos
***The writer is enrolled in Comm 240 News Reporting.***
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 seven Fort Hays State University students enrolled in the Leadership 310 course will host a fashion show in the Cody Commons in the Memorial Union on the FHSU campus.
“The fashion show is ultimately to raise awareness for Jana’s Closet and to promote the clothing that Jana’s Closet has to offer,” said Rebekah Ingram, Colorado Springs, Colo. junior and one of the student organizers of the event.
Jana’s Closet is a program of Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort St., that provides free, “gently used,” professional clothing for any woman in need, including victims of domestic violence, college students, women re-entering the work force and women who have court appearances—any woman in need of professional clothing. The closet, which was established in 2012, was named in memory of Jana Mackey, a victim of domestic violence.
The FHSU program will begin with resume tips and revisions available to anyone in the Hays community. At 4:30 p.m. the fashion show will begin, emceed by Vernon King, Dallas Tex. senior. Following the show, refreshments will be provided.
As a women’s advocate, Mackey spent time helping women acquire professional attire for court appearances and other events. Trinity Lutheran Church decided to create Jana’s Closet and continue Mackey’s legacy of helping women in need, said Anna Towns, church secretary and closet manager.
“I was excited to see the wide range of clothing in the closet… There’s clothing that a college student like myself would benefit from, as much as a woman re-entering the work force,” Ingram said.
Hays Academy of Hair and Design will be co-sponsoring the event by providing complimentary hairstyles and make-up for the models. The models will wear clothes Jana’s Closet has available for clients. Those wishing to utilize the closet may call Trinity Lutheran Church at 785-625-2044 for an appointment.
I would like to clarify that Jana’s Closet is a completely different organization from Jana’s Campaign. Both entities are in Memory of Jana Mackey however they serve different purposes.