By ALISA THOMAS

Staff Writer

Elite Modeling Troupe, a group that allows students an opportunity to express their talents in style and fashion, held "That Was Then," a night of modeling and entertainment Oct. 28. The event was presented by 20 Tech students who tried out and were selected by the modeling troupe e-board.

The troupe originally began as Mahogany in 1995, but the name of the organization changed in 2002 to Elite to make a new beginning.

"Social skills, friendships and good times have been formed from participating in this group," Joy Drafton, vice president for Elite, a third-year participant and a junior business management and entrepreneurship major, said.

The Elite show consisted of models in 10 different scenes under the styles of various musical artists in a variety of clothes.

Participants said they see this experience as beneficial to the social aspects of life.

"Elite is a great, exciting experience and we are looking forward to a great year," Wilma "Porkchop" Viltz, a two-year participant, parliamentarian for the group and a junior child life major, said.

In a scene titled "I Like the Way You Move," models appeared in semi-formal attire to the sounds of Outkast's new song "I Like The Way You Move."

Parents of models said they consider the experience a means of exposure to opportunities.

"Getting them involved and being exposed to different people may one day pay off," Angels Blue, parent of Teaseia Blue, a first-year participant and a junior architecture major, said. "Out of the 20 models, one may become a professional model. You never know who comes to these events."

Two rap groups from Ruston, Hollywood and Son and Low Pro, provided entertainment for the show.