Jessica Reinke, Iron Ridge, Herman Hornets 4-H Club, models professionally for department-store ads and finds the 4-H clothing project to be the perfect fit to her modeling endeavors.
Reinke’s interest in clothing started at a young age. “I had a book with drawing clothes, and I kept drawing and drawing,” commented Reinke. “I wanted to model because I liked what I drew and wanted to wear them. So I started modeling to show off clothes other people make.”
To start her modeling career, Reinke auditioned to get into John Casablanca’s Modeling Agency, Brookfield. “My tryout included walking a runway and a photo shoot.” She was picked and graduated in February 2016.
One day prior to her graduation, Reinke auditioned to attend Mike Beaty Model and Talent Expo in Texas; she was one of 500 individuals in the United States picked to attend. “In Texas, I walked a runway, did a one-minute memorized monologue, did a two-person skit, and did a cold read of a commercial in front of agencies looking for models and talents.”
Today, Reinke can be found modeling clothes for department-store ads. Recently, she worked for Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., which is a parent company of Boston Store. “My favorite part of modeling is walking the runway, but I like photo shoots, voice-over tryouts, commercials, and everything like that, too.”
In addition to modeling, Reinke decided to take on the 4-H clothing project. “This is my first year and my first sewing project; I sewed a dress, and I bought a coordinating outfit for under $50.”
Early in the summer, those in the clothing project participate in the 4-H clothing revue, which includes modeling and judging their home-sewn clothes and purchased outfits. Then, the last day of the Dodge County Fair, the youth exhibit their clothing, again, in a fashion review at Radio Park. “I think the clothing project is a good fit with modeling because I have to walk the runway in the clothing project, just like with modeling.”
Reinke learned to sew from LaVerne Schulz. “I like that I had a nice sewing instructor, and I liked how I could just try, again, if I messed up, by taking stitches out.”
Dodge County is very fortunate to have a fair with both youth and adult involvement, in a variety of projects, at a quality level. Preparations and project creation have already begun for next year’s county fair Aug. 15-19, 2018.
Written by Dori Lichty, farm wife, 4-H Mom, and full-time communicator
