The “Getting Ready” Student Conference

The concept for Los Angeles County Office of Education’s “Getting Ready” Conference started over 8 years ago when students from Hollywood Entertainment Museum Academy wanted to showcase their creations to their friends and family. Menbere Markos, fashion design consultant; Dwight Bonds, LACOE; Phyllis Caskey, CEO of the Museum; and Sophia Waugh, LACOE board member; developed a plan. The initial idea of a presentation to a few students grew to a student-driven and student-focused major event.

Because other schools adopted the fashion design class offered at HEM, the conference expanded beyond the Museum’s students and included students from other schools and probation camps. Workshops and an exhibit hall were added to provide students the opportunity to speak with representatives from the fashion, entertainment, creative media industries, colleges and trade schools.

On June 8, 2000, over 1,300 students from Los Angeles County attended the conference at Pasadena Conference Center. The conference relocated to the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2002. Through the years, business and educational representatives of the school-to-career movement have joined with students in developing and producing the conference.

The 8th Annual Conference, held on May 31, 2007 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, featured careers in the fashion and entertainment arts including presentations in art, music, culinary arts, film/television, make-up and hair, fashion apparel, costume design and digital animation. In addition to the presentations, there was a variety of exhibitors available to interact with the students to provide them with information about employment opportunities, post secondary education, finances and other resources to support their careers.

The conference’s highlight was the student fashion show luncheon featuring fashion designs the students created and modeled. Students were also involved in the production and filming of the event. Each year the conference grows and expands opportunities to support the students’ needs.

We are beginning to plan next year’s conference. If you would like to participate in this worthwhile event, please contact Melissa Runcie at 323-465-7900, ext 802 or mruncie@Hollywoodmuseum.com.