A group of forth- and fifth-graders at Pinewood Preparatory School took strides to become model students and citizens by participating in a nine-week modeling class, which taught them how to excel on the runway, in the classroom and beyond the school walls.
The non-graded class was part of Target Tuesday, a Pinewood enrichment program that allows students to enroll in a class of their choosing based on their interests and needs.
The class, which was taught by Avis MacLellan, director of The Model’s Studio in Summerville, instilled self-confidence and poise in the students, said Marilyn Davis, Pinewood Headmaster of the Lower School and Target Tuesday director.
“The element of getting up in front of a group and being able to confidently walk across the stage carries over into public speaking and how (the children) present themselves to adults,” Davis said. “They also learned about style and how to dress for success.”
The students, who were taught how to strut on the runway and held a fashion show during which they modeled clothing from the 1920s to the present, developed self-esteem through the program, MacLellan said.
“The program is not about modeling, but how to connect the dots,” MacLellan said. “It’s about having the students (look) into themselves to find out what they want to do after they finish school and what career choices they’re thinking about.”
MacLellan instructed the students on etiquette such as manners to use on the telephone, how they should properly introduce themselves and the importance of shaking hands with colleagues.
The lessons the students learned from the program will stick with them for a long time, Davis said.
“I hope they remember the feeling of accomplishment when they participated in the fashion show, the sound of the applause and that all of that hard work really paid off,” Davis said. “I also hope they learned that a lot of life is within their control in the way they choose to dress and look people in the eye.”
Teachers who had students in the program noticed transformations in the children as they progressed through the course, MacLellan said.
“I’ve had so many teachers say this program has brought shyness out of kids and that their grades have gone up,” MacLellan said. “It’s helped the students really shine and excel in their academics.”

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com