Evolution Modeling Troupe at Rip The Runway Show, Oct. 29, 2015. Photo by O’Shay Massey.
The Evolution Modeling Troupe (EVO) and National Pan-Hellenic Council at Western Carolina University (WCU) “ripped the runway” on Thursday night, Oct. 29, in the University Center Grand Room to raise money for breast cancer research.
Fierce music, lights, dancing, and modeling came together in honor of breast cancer awareness month at WCU. EVO collaborated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) to put together a modeling show to raise money.
EVO President, Jasmine Ford said, “I wanted to help make a difference in people’s lives, but also wanted to evolve my organization as well.”
The show charged a donation entrance fee of $ 3 for audience members. At the end of the night they raised over $150 that will be donated to Relay for Life specifically to breast cancer research.
“Of course I wanted people to donate, but I want people to realize that cancer is a serious issue and should not be looked over. Everyone needs to do their annual checks,” Ford continued.
The show had 16 models who consisted of EVO and NPHC Greek members that were responsible for creating their own outfits from their closets. The members participated in three rounds that consisted of casual wear, Greek attire, and a round dedicated to pink for breast cancer awareness.
Vice Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc, Tevin Henderson, said before hitting the runway. “For my casual wear I really wanted to focus on the fall season, and for my letter apparel it was based on a spring kind of feel, and for my breast cancer outfit, I was going for a winter apparel look. Overall, I was trying to hit all the seasons,”
The show wasn’t just a show to walk the runway. For some members of EVO cancer had a direct effect on family members.
“Breast cancer hits close to home for me. My grandmother is a 3-time breast cancer survivor and she is my inspiration. She is a very strong woman. I hoped to inspire others to do things to create awareness for breast cancer and help those who suffer from this disease,” Sachiya Brown, a member of EVO, said.
Her friend and EVO member,Taylor Harbison, also has family members battling with the cancer.
“I also have several who are battling breast cancer as well as some survivors. I love contributing to things that help people like them win the fight against breast cancer,” Taylor Harbison added.
Henderson, too has had a family member who lost the fight with the breast cancer.
The Evolution Modeling Troupe is a student organization at WCU that started in 2012 by a group of students who love the idea of fashion, modeling, and dancing. It is a theatrical modeling troupe that strives to build confidence in individuals while bonding. Members of the modeling troupe choreograph their own dance routines and walks on the runway. The goal of the organization is to help people learn how to be confident and comfortable with who they are.
“I figured that by doing EVO, it’ll help me get out of my comfort zone and give me a new hobby,” Harbison explained.
This was the first show of the group this year and received a great turnout. They plan to have many more and hopefully gain more exposure on Western Carolina University’s campus.
