J. O. Y. F. U. L. visitors pop- up clothing store
Printed 11: 58 am Tuesday, March 19, 2024
- Last weekend, the Endy School’s pop-up buy had hundreds of dresses on sale. ( Photo by JESSICA COVINGTON )
Endy Elementary School recently hosted the first of what is planned to be an annual pop-up graduation costume shop.
The occasion was promoted by J. O. Y. F. U. L., a private referral program targeted at supporting and encouraging young people.
More than 50 of the more than 300 garments sold within the first minute of the first day, which was well attended despite this being the first time this event took place. Girls of all ages were present, from end schoolers searching for a formal outfit to high schoolers getting ready for homecoming.
” We had over 100 younger women walk apart with a dress”, Jodi Autry, J. O. Y. F. U. L.’s leader, said. ” Each Stanly County middle school and high school had students who attended, yet Gray Stone and homeschoolers.”
Abigail Ecenbarger shows the dress she found at the pop- up shop organized by J. O. Y. F. U. L. ( Photo by JESSICA COVINGTON )
Abigail Ecenbarger, a West Stanly High School student, was one of the shoppers in search of the ideal graduation gown.
” I was looking for a dark dress in very much this particular fashion.”
Ecenbarger said, gesturing to a golden clothing. ” I saw this one and thought, hey, I look good in silver”.
Ecenbarger was there with her family, Sarah, who shared their desire for attending the event.
She said,” Next time we borrowed a dress from a friend, but this year we wanted anything specific without having to go to the mall.”
Finding something specific is a theme that resonates with Autry’s aim for the event.
Every woman who walks in, I want her to experience something wonderful and self-assured. That’s what this is all about”, said Autry, who is also the main at Endy.
Autry searched for, selected, and purchased the majority of the clothes at the occasion over the course of the previous year. With the addition of 15 to 20 clothes from local stores donated in the last few months, Autry was able to combine dresses in almost every fashion, color, and size, making this celebration accessible to everyone.
” I had over 37 individuals that helped create this happen”, Autry said. ” Participants included Stanly County Schools Central Office workers, Stanly County School Board of Education people, native beauty pageant winners, student Alpha Club people, and many other community individuals,” according to the organization.
J. O. Y. F. UL. was established by Autry and her father two years ago as a job to help young people who are attempting to become successful frontrunners. After working in the educational system, Autry recognized the need for additional support and guidance for young women who may serve as community role models and future leaders.
To that result, Autry’s business also does work with several other mentoring programs, such as soup kitchens and homes to help victims of domestic violence.
According to Autry,” the pop-up received a lot of positive feedback, and many people from across the county are still reaching out to me to help with any upcoming events that my outreach takes on.”
To learn more on ways to get involved, reach out to Jodi Autry at.
For The Stanly News & Press, Jessica Covington works as a freelance writer.