June 16, 2003

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COLLEGE STATION – Where can you find elegant young ladies in sparkling formal gowns, the holder of a black belt demonstrating a few karate kicks, and a drum major showing some of his marching moves?

Where else but the Texas 2003 4-H Roundup fashion show?

The nearly 100 young 4-H'ers participating in the event already won clothing contests at the local and district levels, explained Teresa Smith, Texas Cooperative Extension family and youth program specialist who is in charge of state 4-H clothing contests. The clothing contest at Roundup – which culminates with the fashion show – is the state competition, she said. Each of the 12 Extension districts in Texas can bring up to eight participants, for a possible total of 96.

Competition is in four categories:

- Casual: Clothing for school or after-school wear;

- Dressy: Clothing for dressed-up occasions including dinner dates or church;

- Formal: Includes tuxedos, formal gowns and bridesmaid dresses;

- Specialty: Clothing for specific purposes, including cheerleader or band uniforms, ski wear and theatrical costumes.

Each of the four categories has two divisions:

- Construction: Garments which the entrants have made themselves, using some kind of skill such as sewing, knitting or crocheting;

- Buying: Garments which have been purchased using comparison shopping and other consumer skills.

In addition, two Natural Fiber Awards were presented in each division – one award for cotton and one for wool.

Rusty Keaton, 18, of Floyd County won first place in the buying/formal competition with his drum major uniform in black with sparkling red accents. As one of the few young men in the clothing competition, he was asked what he got out of this particular program.

"What," he said, "you mean besides meeting girls?"

His participation does have a more practical reasons, he said. "You learn a lot. It's just something I like to do for fun. And it will help me when I open up my own restaurant because I want to be a chef someday," and participating in the clothing program will help him know the best uniforms for serving staff.

Tara Price of Midland County was named second-place winner in construction/specialty for her 1860s-era dress. "I've always been interested in the Civil War," she said, adding that she's also a volunteer for some historical re-enactment programs.

Michelle Barak, 17, a 4-H'er from Ellis County, has participated in the fashion show for two years. This year she entered the construction/formal event with a floor-length gown. She said she chose this event "because last year I was in competition against a girl who made a formal dress and I had made pajamas. Had a little of that competition thing going," she said with a laugh. "And because it's my prom dress."

And the winners are:

- Buying casual: Amber Harris of Brazoria County, first; Micah Langford of Bell County, second; and Jamie White of Kent County, third

- Buying dressy: Thomas Skipper of El Paso County, first; Kate Harman of Swisher County, second; and Jenna Baldwin of Chambers County, third

- Buying formal: Keaton, first; Victoria Skipper of El Paso County, second; and Sarah Andrews of Grimes County, third

- Buying specialty: Garrett Moore of Kaufman County, first; Ashley Miller of Goliad County, second; and Britney Whitehead of Brazoria County, third

- Natural Fiber Awards in the buying division went to: Kate Harman, wool; and Micah Langford, cotton.

- Construction casual: Kathryn Taylor of Comal County, first; Sarah Schwab of Gray County, second; and Sara Harrison of Clay County, third

- Construction dressy: Jacqueline Simpson of Williamson County, first; Kristen Stapper of San Patricio County, second; and Bethany Richter of Travis County, third

- Construction formal: Nikki Latzel of Upton County, first; Emily Keefer of Lamb County, second; and Stephanie Allenson of Fort Bend County, third

- Construction specialty: Katrina Jackson of Bosque County, first; Tara Price of Midland County, second; and Cindy Settje of Collin County, third

- Natural Fiber Awards in the construction division went to: Sara Harrison, cotton; and Kristen Stapper, wool.

As each young participant modeled the clothing he or she had entered into the contest, each one tossed a coin into a wishing fountain that was part of the stage design. The three-man team of 4-H'ers Coley Bruggman, Jeffrey Roper and Colt Laws of Bell County were in charge of designing the stage for the fashion show. Narrators were 4-H'ers Megan Rydell of Johnson County, Emily Richter of Travis County, Jenna Kubecka of Matagorda County and Sara Ingram of Brazoia County. Alternate was Breann Pritchard of Tarrant County.