With a move to Georgia Southern's Performing Arts Center, Scott Marchbanks took his annual Frills By Scott prom dress fashion show to new heights.
    Fifty-eight high school girls participated as models making Marchbanks' fifth annual fashion show his largest production ever. This year's cast of models represented 29 schools from southeast Georgia.
    "This was a growing pain year as we switched locations from the Averitt Center to the Performing Arts Center," Marchbanks said. "We had a total of 1,200 people attend the two shows, which is up from 900 the year before. It is a much larger venue, and that is why we made the move so that we wouldn't have to turn anyone away. I was a little wigged out about the organization behind the scenes, but everything turned out really well."
    The theme for this year's show was “Girl on Fire” inspired by the song of the same name by pop star Alicia Keys.
    "That is a very powerful song for women," Marchbanks said. "I wanted to have a theme that speaks to empowering girls in high school. I want every girl that walks through our doors to feel accepted and beautiful. Although a dress doesn't make a girl beautiful, sometimes it helps them to realize it when they stand in front of the mirror and look at themselves in one."
    Statesboro High School senior Madison Phillips modeled in this year's show.
    "It is very exhilarating, and I don't get nervous anymore," Phillips said. "It's actually for a great cause, because all of the proceeds go back into the community and to a scholarship for a young lady to use for college."
    Phillips' father, Tony Phillips, had a somewhat different reaction to his daughter's participation in the show.
        "Right before Madison goes on stage, I get nervous," Tony Phillips said. "But once I see how radiant and comfortable she is on stage, the nerves disappear."
    Sarah McCorkle of Pinewood Christian Academy was awarded this year's $1,000 college scholarship. According to Phillips, McCorkle raised more than $30,000 for her community and is an avid volunteer for her local 4-H Club.
    "It has really become something that is extremely important to me," Marchbanks said. "I think it is so important that we recognize those young ladies that give back to the community. I want them to realize that you can never underestimate the power they have to change someone's life through their service."
    This is the second prom fashion show that Portal High School junior Harley Anderson has attended.
    “The main reason that my friend and I go is to look for a dress for the prom,” Anderson said. “In addition to that, the show is really good, and I enjoyed the entertainment in between. That was pretty cool.”