Students to compete for $25,000 for their school

It isn’t just about the money for Huntington Beach High School students. It’s about defending their turf — in a national competition taking place this summer in Surf City.

Students are banding together to compete in Hurley’s fourth annual Walk the Walk, a “Project Runway”-esque competition that gives the winning school a $25,000 grand prize.

This year, Hurley has thrown in an additional twist by expanding the competition from only Orange County to the entire nation and adding three video projects to determine which five schools will compete in the final fashion show at the U.S. Open of Surfing in August.

“It’s in Huntington Beach, our territory,” senior Nick Phipps, 17, said, adding, “This is our place. We have to represent.”

About 40 students at Huntington Beach High are the core of the Walk the Walk competition, but they are reaching out to students in video production, the surfing club, the school’s Academy for the Performing Arts and those with an interest in fashion, said junior Ally Diamond, 16.

The first video competition’s theme is “Show your DNA,” and the school is going to show its diversity with shots of the musical theater program, a Huntington Beach flag, surfing and more.

“I think we have an advantage ... because we have Hurley here.” Ally said. “It is everywhere here.”

Ally, who walked in the show last year, said her team focused on making great clothes, but not enough on putting on a show.

If they make it this year, they won’t make the same mistake, she said.

Voting for the first video began Wednesday.

People can vote once a day until Tuesday for the best video.

To vote, go to www.hurley.com/walkthewalk.

— Britney Barnes