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Schools

Project Gunnway: 'Extreme' Fashion Benefit

Benefit featured staff in zany costumes to raise scholarship money.

Called a "pressure cooker" by some students, let off some steam—and raised money for a nonprofit—by holding its first-ever "extreme" fashion show at

"Project Gunnway" featured teachers and staff dressed up as wizards and drag queens, as well as two outfits designed and sewn by students Matthis Renaud and Lena Bacon.

Gunn librarian Meg Omainsky spearheaded the project along with Olga Celis, math and science administrative assistant. The two came up with the idea last semester, Omainsky said, to help the Gunn Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for college scholarships.

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"They've been wanting to have a benefit for a while, but they lacked the resources to kind of get that off the ground," she said. "So we're really happy to be able to host this event for them and raise money for a good cause."

The staff models portrayed a variety of styles exemplifying a number of themes, like Harry Potter, Camelot and prom. Superintendent Kevin Skelly made a guest appearance dressed as Abe Lincoln. 

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Renaud, who wants to go into the fashion industry, said she heard about the event during the school's announcements. She designed Omainsky's A-line blue dress based on one of Jean Paul Gaultier's dresses designed for Marilyn Monroe.

Renaud gave Omainsky a few instructions after doing the librarian's make-up. "I told her that [she] had to be dainty and cute," she said, "and kind of like 1950s era, so she should be peppy."

Omainsky said they plan on having another fashion show, possibly as soon as next semester.

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