Making the community proud

Wearing a brown halter top with matching beads lining her neck, one Costa Mesa student makes her turn at the end of the runway in silver high heels. Another shows off her sparkling jeweled brown jacket as she struts in front of onlookers.

Cheerleaders know how to play to a crowd. Which is part of the reason three cheerleading squads from Orange County schools, including Costa Mesa High School, were chosen to be the models for a charity fashion show at God’s and Heros in Costa Mesa Sunday night.

The show helped raise money for the squads as well as the Olive Crest foundation to support abused children. The squads got a portion of the proceeds of the pre-sale tickets sold, while Olive Crest will get 10% of the total proceeds.

“We wanted young people involved [so they would] be more aware of the disadvantaged,” said Sean Patrick of God’s and Heros. “It is opposite ends of the spectrum.”

The cheerleaders wore clothes by local designers or sold at local stores. The students were excited to be involved in a fashion show and understood it was an opportunity to do something good for the community.

“It’s a chance to strut our stuff, but it makes us feel good,” said Maggie Miettinen, a senior at Costa Mesa High School who acknowledged the core of the event was for its community service.

The idea of being actively involved in their neighborhood is something new coach Kori Johnson has made a priority for the squad. Since taking over in June, it has been a goal of hers to get her team noticed by the community for doing positive things.

“What’s really exciting is before this year you didn’t really hear about Costa Mesa High School,” she said. “They feel like rock stars. They are making the school proud and the community proud.”

Out of the 23-member squad, 15 were in the fashion show with an additional five boys from the high school. All were recommended by coaches or teachers, Johnson said.

Besides the community service aspect, it was also a chance for those involved just to have fun and enjoy the perks of doing something good.

“Our school normally isn’t recognized for anything,” said Ashley Perez, a senior at Costa Mesa High School. “It’s good to get rewarded for community service.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.