"What a learning experience!"

Not only did Tony Coleman of Orangeburg accompany his preteen daughter to the Models of the South convention in Hilton Head recently, but the doting dad -- who's not exactly a GQ kind of guy -- ended up strolling down the runway himself, although a bit reluctantly.

"It was two hours before it started," said an amazed Lauren Coleman of how her father was convinced at the last minute to participate in the parent-child runway competition category.

"The competition was awesome," said father Coleman, who stepped in as chaperone when his wife, Paula, was unable to attend with the group of students from Betty Lane Models and Talent.

Betty Lane Gramling, the former Miss USA who has operated the Orangeburg modeling and talent school for more than 40 years, says the fearless father was "adorable" in his runway debut.

As for Lauren, the Orangeburg Prep sixth-grader who turned 12 last month won in the category of television commercial. That's the "hardest" category of all, says her father, sharing some of the modeling tips he'd picked up at the convention from competition insiders.

Lauren, who has been taking classes with Betty Lane for about a year, took her first convention more in stride.

"I decided to start off small and go to New York later for bigger things," she said. "Three agents called back, and they're coming here to interview me."

Lauren was one of six students of the Betty Lane Models and Talent who participated in the Hilton Head convention, held in late November. Competitions were held in modeling, television commercials, photography and swim suits.

"Some of our kids wanted to go and meet some agents," Gramling said. "We got a group together, and we really wowed them. We took 12 (including staff and chaperones), and they all won. We've got agents interested in every one of them. ... These girls who went to Hilton Head conducted themselves so beautifully, and everyone won. They did really well, and they were recognized for all their efforts."

And, Gramling says, two agents are planning to come to Orangeburg to see more of the local talent.

"We'll probably have an open call when they come. One agent deals with Target, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Disney ... a whole lot of things our kids are interested in," she said. "Also, they're from Orlando, where they have lots of entertainment."

In addition, Gramling says, now that numerous movies are being shot in South Carolina, she's been fielding calls for extras and small speaking roles. Students are planning to audition for the "Army Wives" television series that's being filmed in Charleston, she says.

Previously, the local group has made the annual trek to New York the highlight of the modeling year. This year, however, Gramling explains, no contract was available with the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

"It's under new management, and people we have worked with for 40 years are no longer there," she said. "It's been at the Waldorf all these years with pomp and circumstances. It was quite a blow to meet with the new management. We couldn't accept the contract."

Instead, Betty Lane's group set its sights on the Thanksgiving weekend convention, held in Hilton Head for modeling schools throughout the Southeast. Plans are to return to New York for the big 50th anniversary of the Modeling Association of America International, at a different hotel in the spring of 2010.

Agents from all over the world attend the convention Gramling calls "the mother of them all." A member of the Advisory Council and the Board of Directors, she has served as president of the organization three times during its 43 years.

"It's a not-for-profit organization. We provide educational seminars and give scholarships, lots of scholarships," she said. "We're the most sought-after convention because we have a good reputation."

According to Gramling, her school is different from others in that there's a stress on personal development, including good grooming, etiquette and speaking techniques, along with a focus on runway modeling. And, she says, a safe environment is maintained for the young models.

The results, Gramling says, are well-trained, confident young women who "are not heavily made up; they're just themselves."

Relocated a few years ago from downtown Orangeburg, the school is housed in the large Gramling farm house, built in 1900 on the Old Elloree Road. The most prominent feature is a one-of-its-kind raised runway that fills the long entry hall.

Helping with the instruction is Erica Shieder of St. George, who began at the school as a student about six years ago. Since pausing from her own practice on the runway to answer a ringing office telephone, she's been hard at work behind the scenes as right-hand assistant ever since. Even a scholarship to a New York school for film and television didn't lure her away.

"I'm loyal to Miss Betty Lane. What we do here is amazing," said Shieder, a small business major at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. "Every time, our group is always asked for. Agencies are always looking for a new face. They always ask for Betty Lane. They know we're prepared; we know how to walk."

Amanda Moore, who's only been attending modeling classes for a couple of months, learned about the school from Shieder, a fellow OCtech student. At her first convention, she won in categories for photography, runway and television commercial.

"I've learned so much already. I've always wanted to model," said Moore, daughter of David Moore and Wendy Faust. "I really want to go to the New York convention. I'm really looking forward to it."

Also looking forward to seeing New York is four-year student Carmen Gates, who won in the categories of runway and photography at Hilton Head. An eleventh grader at First Assembly Christian School, Carmen is the daughter of Tony and Hope Gates.

"Hopefully, I'll have a modeling career or acting," she said. "This is a good head start."

Other Betty Lane students attending the Hilton Head convention were Asia Brabham of Hampton, Amanda Illian of Greenville and Pauline Chrysostom of Columbia.

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached by e-mail at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5545. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

Models of the South award winners from Betty Lane Models and Talent

Asia Brabham -- TV commercial

Pauline Chrysostom -- runway and photography

Lauren Coleman -- TV commercial

Carmen Gates -- runway and photography

Amanda Illian -- runway, TV commercial, photography and overall photography

Amanda Moore -- runway, photography and TV commercial

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