DEBBIE OBILE WINS CENTRAL CAMPUS NEXT TOP MODEL

By Jillian Goltzman
Staff Writer

Fashion icon Coco Chanel once said “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

On March 31 true fashion was at Broward College as well! Five promising girls performed in front of a BC audience, two Miami Fashion class judges and Project Runway’s Jerell Scott for the title of Central’s Next Top Model at Central Campus outside of Bldg. 19.

The five finalists, Amanda Walker, Evena Seneque, Debbie Obile, Linda Cearc, and Danielle Brown didn’t just spring up out of thin air! The first Central’s Next Top Model competition took place on Feb 18. After the judges picked Richard Michel for the male top model they chose five of the twelve female models to move on to the finals. The competition included modeling, style and even acting challenges.

The outcome of over 50 BC students created uproar of cheers when Project Runway’s Jerell Scott emerged from the doors of Bldg. 19. After weeks of watching Jerell produced his wild and wonderful creations on the show, students who were fans showed their excitement.
Scott hosted the show and was as enthusiastic as to be giving his time. “It was a lot of fun! There was definitely a lot of energy. I think that anything that could bring the school together and unite people is amazing. I was glad to be a part of it,” he admitted.

When it came to the scoring the judges knew best! Returning Central’s Next Top Model judge from Model Incorporated International, Chris Phasion, and Model Incorporated International’s model Nia Burnett. Burnett claimed “We were just looking for a girl that had a great attitude, a girl that was confident and fashionable for the industry. We weren’t really looking for the height or weight, the industry has changed a lot. We were looking for a girl who over all has that ‘it factor.’”

The show opened with the contestants coordinated dance. During a brief intermission the crowd was entertained by the local band Lady Galaga. Lady Galaga, an edgy alternative band, consists of BC’s very own Aaron Harnamji and Evan Gothelf along with friend, Chris Sanchez.
Following Lady Galaga was BC student and rap artist Carl Fortune, further known by his stage name S3H. The contestants walked the runway and “vogued” for the cameras during Fortune’s appearance.

Not only must a model work the runway but they should work their style! The next challenge was the style challenge. The five contestants were given a hat to style an outfit around and model with. The hats ranged from trucker caps to tennis visors and each girl had a different style. Walker won the challenge for style. Walker was content with her prize and suggested to future contestants “If you really want to do it show that you really want to . . . just have fun with it!”

Finally the time came to announce the winner! The judges each discussed what the girls had to offer and what they lacked. Some lacked confidence while some lacked modesty. After consolidating, Scott spoke the final words that the audience wanted to hear. Central’s Next Top Model was Obile.

Obile won a digital camera and free modeling contract, photo shoot, and training with Model Incorporated International.

Obile, elated with her win, admitted “I love to work the runway.” She could not believe the outcome of the show. “This better not be an early April Fool’s joke!” she exclaimed.

Obile was not the only one who enjoyed the show. Obile’s friend and BC student Cassandra Desrameaux said “I think that from the beginning ‘til now it was a great outcome. There were different models, different sizes. It was beautiful and a great show. You didn’t just see the same type of girl . . . and that’s what made it good!”

Hissa Jean-Jacques, BC student admitted, “The show was great! I enjoyed it a lot.”