The stars of the Easterseals Arkansas Fashion Event share their hopes and dreams while giving a sneak preview of their catwalk attire.
Shawn Morehart, 20
(On left)
How would you describe your personal style? I like to be comfortable but trendy. I like to look pretty.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? I’ve been with Easterseals since I was three, so 17 years. I’ve had Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy. My therapists are my friends. They push me hard but are nice, and they love me.
What is your favorite class or activity there? I am now part of Easterseals’ Adult Training Center. I am learning art, computers, nutrition, wellness care, budgeting and learning to be independent. My favorite class is nutrition because I love to cook.
What are your hobbies? My hobbies include being a part of Life Line Baptist Church Youth group, Young Life, Special Olympics bowling team and playing competitive baseball at Miracle League. I also love going out to eat and to the movies with my boyfriend.
What is your next life goal? Continue classes at Easterseals so I can find a job and one day have my own home.
Clothing from Beehive.
Jennifer Mahler, 42
(On right)
How would you describe your personal style? Classic with an edge (and bling!)
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? I have been going to the Easterseals Adult Training Center for a long time. After high school, I attended UALR. After I “graduated” from college, I started going to Easterseals because my mom had to work.
What is your favorite class or activity there? I love art class. Over the years, I have had some amazing art teachers: Miss Rose, Burt Mann and others. I have many ribbons for my art from the Arkansas State Fair.
What are your hobbies? I like to cook, and at home, my mom calls me her “salad chef.” I make salad every day. I also like water aerobics at Little Rock Athletic Club. A few years ago, I started playing golf. I love playing in the Easterseals’ Drives for Disabilities golf tournament, sponsored by my friends at Welsco Inc.
What is your next life goal? My next life goal is to make note cards with my art on them and sell them for money. And I want to have an elegant party for all of my friends. I know a lot of people!
Clothing and accessories from Barbara/Jean.
Essence S. Hayes, 19
(On left)
How would you describe your personal style? Daring and chipper.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? Since March 10. I like them because they help all of us find different opportunities.
What is your favorite class or activity there? Art, gym and technology.
What are your hobbies? Workouts, drawing.
What is your next life goal? To go to college.
Clothing from Beyond Cotton II.
Taylor Holmes, 25
(Center)
How would you describe your personal style? Relaxed and casual.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? All my life. I enjoy hanging out with my friends.
What is your favorite class or activity at Easterseals? Computer class.
What are your hobbies? Playing video games, watching sports and hanging out with my friends.
What is your next life goal? Be the best person I can be.
Clothing from Old Heights Corner Store.
Jessica Tate, 29
(On right)
How would you describe your personal style? I’m just a classic, casual kinda girl.
How long have you been with Easterseals? For about five or six years.
What is your favorite class or activity? My favorite class is computer lab.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy roller skating, taking long walks with my mom and dad, and singing.
What is your next life goal? My goal is to one day become employed full-time with a company that will be able to accept my disabilities and to accept me for who God has created me to be.
Clothing from Runway Seven.
Amanda Weeks, 43
How would you describe your personal style? Relaxed and comfortable.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? Since 2000. My Easterseals Medicaid Waiver person helps me out a lot. She works with me on goals such as staying healthy (and quitting Diet Coke!).
What is your favorite class or activity at Easterseals? The Fashion Event.
What are your hobbies? Photography, writing poetry.
What is your next life goal? To retire at my current job.
Clothing from Forsythe’s/Kristin Todd and jewelry from Roberson’s Fine Jewelry.
Philip Henry, 26
How would you describe your personal style? Conservative, conventional and comfortable.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? Two years. I enjoy Easterseals because I have made friends, and I get to do art and have activities.
What is your favorite class or activity there? Art.
What are your hobbies? Watching OU football, drawing or wood burning art, and watching movies.
What is your next life goal? I would like to have the skills to get a part-time job.
Clothing from Greenhaw’s
Michael Joseph Lanari, 15
(On left)
How would you describe your personal style? I like to dress fancy when I can. I love suspenders and ties with jackets and vests. But I also like to dress really cool, like a rock star. I am going to be famous one day, so I need a lot of different styles!
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? I think I have been with Easterseals since I was about three years old. I love the people. They are a part of my life, and I love my life.
What is your favorite class or activity there? I really like my group therapy (Pragmatic Class). I like my friends, and we do things together like plan parties, plant gardens and learn how to get along with others. I like my other therapies too. They all are fun.
What are your hobbies? I love to sing, dance and play my drums. I like to put on concerts at home. One day, I will put on a concert for real.
What is your next life goal? I will go to high school, and I have my college picked out: Union University. I am going to be an entertainer in some way, maybe a singer, actor, or maybe a model. I really like doing the Easterseals Fashion Show. I don’t know for sure what I will do, but I just know I am going to make it. I also plan to volunteer to help others. That is very important to me, too.
Clothing from Dillard’s.
Al Hunt, 14
(On right)
How would you describe your personal style? Cool.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? Since I was a baby. I like the therapists and other staff members.
What is your favorite class or activity there? Pragmatic Class (group therapy for adolescents).
What are your hobbies? Playing on my iPad, playing baseball through Miracle League, and playing all sports in general.
What is your next life goal? Graduating high school.
Clothing from Dillard’s.
Tiffany Callahan, 17
How would you describe your personal style? Classic beauty.
How long have you been with Easterseals? Since 2006.
What is your favorite class or activity there? Ms. Louisa’s class. I enjoy social settings so I can interact with others. I also enjoy having one-to-one interactions with my therapists. I love to learn and I love riding my bike.
What are your hobbies? Listening to music, dancing, participating in Girl Scouts and Miracle League baseball.
What is your next life goal? To transition from Easterseals Children’s Rehabilitation Center to an adult living facility.
Clothing from Steamroller Blues.
DeMariaus Lankford, 17
How would you describe your personal style? All-American schoolboy.
How long have you been with Easterseals? Since 2004.
What is your favorite class or activity there? Ms. Louisa’s class. I love technology and have enjoyed learning to use an iPad to do some of my classwork. I also like giving the weather report over the intercom.
What are your hobbies? Playing computer activities, reading books, watching Youtube videos, participating in Miracle League baseball, playing the piano/keyboard and singing. I love going on outings, especially out to restaurants!
What is your next life goal? To transition from Easterseals Children’s Rehabilitation Center to my mother’s home.
Clothing from Bell & Sward.
Marnetta Allen, 54
How would you describe your personal style? I talk a lot, I love to dress up, and I love people.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? I have been with Easterseals for some time and really enjoy hanging out with my friends.
What is your favorite class or activity at Easterseals? Library and art.
What are your hobbies? Dancing, cooking, reading and counting money. I also like to reach my goals.
What is your next life goal? Math, reading and counting money.
Clothing and accessories from Beige.
Londyn Smith, 5
How would you describe your personal style? I love all kinds of styles! I especially love Matilda Jane clothing and fun boots.
How long have you been with Easterseals, and what do you like about them? Five years, and I love my Easterseals therapists.
What is your favorite class or activity there? I have fun playing in the physical therapy gym and working with my therapist in the classroom with the other kids.
What are your hobbies? Playing outside, playing t-ball and spending time with my family.
What is your next life goal? I am working on new ways to communicate and am excited about kindergarten in the fall.
Clothing from Bologna Joe’s.
Cortland Cole, 22 Months
How would you describe your personal style? Whatever Dad picks out for me to wear, but jeans and t-shirt are great.
How long have you been with Easterseals? I’ve been attending Easterseals’ school since I was six months old.
What is your favorite class or activity there? Reading and playing with the train table.
What are your hobbies? Chasing the cat and destroying the house.
What is your next life goal? Potty training!
Clothing from Pickles & Ice Cream.
