Mindy (Miller) Fairbanks, a former Miss Ohio, speaks to the models, team leaders and mothers at the Putnam County Pure Fashion “Elegant Expressions” session at Schnipke Inn in Ottawa. (Photo courtesy of Jill Zeller)

After registration and a light breakfast, Julie Pothast welcomed all with the  “Snowflake Prayer,” which compares the girls to snowflakes — beautiful, special and one-of-a-kind.

Bethany Schmiedebusch spoke about being a role model, including sharing the message of true beauty with others. Mindy (Miller) Fairbanks, a former Miss Ohio, took the message further by offering concrete ways to overcome fear of public speaking.

While the models worked on short speeches, mothers attended a breakout session on the effects of the media on culture. Models and mothers gathered together to listen to some of the models’ speeches while Ms. Fairbanks offered tips and encouragement.

The session ended with the models asking themselves reflection questions such as, “Where does my confidence originate? What are my fears and what is my plan for overcoming them?”

Kim Verhoff offered closing remarks and led the Pure Fashion Prayer.

The March session was a Father/Daughter Banquet held at the Kalida Knights of Columbus hall for all Putnam County Challenge Club members, Pure Fashion members and their dads or guests. The festivities began with Mass at Kalida St. Michael.  

The event celebrated the importance of fatherhood and the role fathers play in their daughters’ lives.