Loyola Style Show returns to the runway

Once again this year, on Nov. 9 at the Bossier Civic Center, the Loyola College Prep Style Show takes to the runway as it has for the past 70 years.

The Style Show started in 1952 as an event sponsored by the St. John’s Mother’s Club. The mothers would get together and play cards while professional models wearing clothes from local stores modeled the latest fashions. The event has changed over the years, as has St. John’s/Jesuit/Loyola, but has stuck with the tradition of modeling clothes from local stores and celebrating the high school senior class. Now seniors are the models, and the parents and family members get to watch them strut their stuff.

Ninety-three seniors will walk and dance this year. They are divided into nine groups, each modeling their wardrobe and dancing to a choreographed number. Local dance instructors work with the students months before the style show to teach each group a dance. This year’s dance instructors are Elizabeth Ardoin and Sofie Payne from the Shreveport Dance Academy.

The money raised from this event is handled by the Loyola Parents’ Association and goes directly back to the school. The money comes back in the form of special projects, major gifts, campus improvements and other ways of supporting the school, students and faculty. Last year, the parents’ association partnered with the Student Government Association to bring the Drive Alive program to campus, an educational program on the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

This year, 16 stores have provided the wardrobe for the show. They include Branded Boutique, Chateau En Mae, Dillards, Favorite Sisters’ Boutique, Isadora Boutique, Jac Clothing, John Pickens, L.E. & Chalk, LOA Clothing, M. Clothing, Nichols, Pretenses, Simply Chic Boutique, Sportspectrum, Squires Formalwear and The Paper Tulip. The seniors will wear fashions from tuxedos to business attire, dresses and jeans.

According to information provided by the Style Show committee, “We are proud to be celebrating the 70th anniversary this year and will be ‘Twist, Rock and Hip Hopping’ through the decades. While this event began as a fundraiser for the school, it has always been a celebration of the senior class. This year, we are excited to celebrate the Senior Class of 2024.”

Loyola College Prep was founded by the Jesuit order of Catholic priests to help young students grow into responsible Christian adults. In keeping with that philosophy, Loyola students volunteer at least 100 service hours in their high school career, giving back to the community in various ways. The Bossier Civic Center doors open at 11 a.m. on Nov. 9, and the show starts at 11:30. Tickets are $50 in advance or $55 at the door. Silver Star Smokehouse and Buttercups Cupcakes will provide lunch. For more information, call 318-226-6290 or check https://www.loyolaprep.org/news/style-show.