Brittany Murray drove to Gainesville, Fla., to model for a calendar in order to raise money for breast cancer research. Because of her grandmother’s experience with breast cancer and her mother’s scare with the disease, she felt a strong desire to be a part of Campus Girls USA.
“I love my grandmother very much; I’m so glad she is a survivor.  I’ll do whatever I can to support breast cancer,” said Murray, a sophomore education major on the dancing team.

Campus Girls USA, the calendar company, arranged for hundreds of college coeds across America to participate in its annual breast cancer calendar shoot.  Murray was one of seven models who posed for the 2010 calendar. 

Each model participating in Campus Girls USA is required to sign a contract agreeing to sell a minimum of 100 calendars in order to participate in the shoot. The calendars cost $14.95, and 100 percent of the profits from the sales go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Murray, who was on the photo set from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m., explained that the Campus Girls USA model shoots take place all over the United States.
“These shoots take place in cities across the country on various days of the week.  The staff that supported us that day worked two shifts in one day.  They then packed up and traveled to another city to repeat another shoot.  Every detail of the day went smoothly,” said Murray.

 Murray became aware of the project through a mutual friend, but in order to be considered for the shoot she had to submit her photo and write a two-page essay explaining her interests.

Prior to the shoot, Brittany was able to preview online the Campus Girls USA requirements regarding behavior and etiquette during the actual shoot, which coincides with FAU’s dance team requirements. 
“As a second-year FAU dancer, I’m quite familiar with behavior and morals that won’t come back to haunt me in the future,” she said.

On the day of the shoot, Murray and the seven other models were asked to bring three outfits from home that represented their personality.  A hair stylist/makeup artist was available for them, as well as outfits provided by the calendar company.  The models were able to choose their poses, which they felt comfotable doing.

The Campus Girls USA staff provided not only a hair stylist/makeup artist and extra wardrobe choices, but breakfast and a hot meal were also added during the photo shoot.

During a break from the shoot, Murray and the other models were given guidelines on successfully selling the calendars in order to meet the minimum requirement of 100 sales. They were advised to sell to friends, family and businesses.

Murray’s FAU dance coach, Lisa Delpozzo, is proud of her dancer’s success. Although she hasn’t seen the calendar, she approves the idea of using a model shoot for fundraising.

Julie Cosgrove, FAU dance captain, is thrilled for Murray’s calendar exposure.
“[I’m] very excited when a college dancer receives national exposure,” said Cosgrove.

Murray claimed she would definitely relive the photo shoot again. Her advice for the next group of Campus Girls USA models is to “have fun, be excited, and be passionate about this great cause.”

For more info on Campus Girls USA or to purchase a calendar, visit their Web site
at www.campusgirlsusa.com.