Meet “Colorful” Ophelia – Our Discover Goodwill Back-To-School Contest Winner

We recently ran a back-to-school contest for kids going back to school for a “new” outfit at Discover Goodwill and first-grader Ophelia was our winner. I do enjoy these make-overs, and I’ve especially had fun with the back-to-school ones. I know Ophelia’s mom, Luz, but hadn’t met Ophelia before and when working with little ones and having them try on lots of clothes, well, you just never know how it will go. In the past, all of our children winners have been way more patient than you could ever hope for, polite, and oh so cute. Ophelia was no exception. And I do believe, she has been our most “colorful” winner with her love for all things pink and the fun combinations she chose.

When we do these Discover Goodwill contests, the winner meets me at a local Goodwill store where we fill up a basket (or two,) and then try on clothes and take pictures. This typically takes 2 to 3 hours but with Ophelia, we were in and out in about an hour…she did such a great job of choosing items she really liked (pretty much anything pink/purple/ and colorful,) and was a little pro at trying them all on.

These tutus were the very first things put in the basket (both $3.99) and I was pretty sure that no matter what else Ophelia tried on, these would be going home with her. Luz said she would wear them with leggings to school. In the beginning Ophelia was a bit shy with me but even with our adult winners it can take some time to get used to having someone taking tons of pictures of you in the dressing room. The cute Justice top she has on was $1.99.

Ophelia also likes the color purple and when she saw this Mossimo dress ($3.99) she was so excited it was in her size. Ok, I know it doesn’t look like she’s excited but she really was! (All the smiling pictures I took were blurry.) Ophelia can wear this dress now while the weather’s still warm and then add a little sweater and tights for the cooler months. She went home with this too.

This iz Byer California sweater was slightly too big for Ophelia but it was so cute, I wanted to show it. The pink Cherokee skirt was brand new with the tags still on it. The sweater was $2.99 and the skirt, $3.99.

Ophelia is looking forward to going back to school and is especially excited to meet her new teacher and do math, she said. Over the summer Ophelia and her mom spent time participating in all the fun activities their local library offered and did a lot of reading. I love the fact that Luz has passed her passion for books on to Ophelia. Ophelia’s also really looking forward to starting a new season of Landsharks (track meets for little kids.)

Another dress that went home with Ophelia…she looks adorable in it! (George dress $4.99)

As we shopped, Luz told me she was going back to work this year after taking some years off to spend at home with Ophelia. She’s going to be working at the same elementary school Ophelia will be attending and Luz said she’s excited “to be working with amazing people who are so passionate about the kids.” She said she’s also looking forward to “all the hugs” she’ll be receiving. Ophelia can’t wait to see all of her friends once school starts and is very happy mom will be there too.

I like fashion and was having so much fun watching Ophelia put her ensembles together! She has such a strong sense of who she is already and I think she’s going to be formidable when she grows up! I just love this brown sweater dress ($3.99) with the pink George leggings ($1.99.)

As you can see, as time passed, Ophelia got a lot more comfortable modeling! (Exist sundress $3.99.)

Besides a passion for books, Luz (and her husband,) have shared their love of the outdoors and community participation with Ophelia. I saw a picture of Ophelia on the front page of the Bulletin over the summer as she participated in the Pee Wee Parade in downtown Manitou Springs…wearing pink of course.

Another winning “Ophelia combo” she put together (denim Crazy 8 dress $3.99 and gray tights 99 cents.)

Why is Ophelia smiling so much right now? Because this skirt was the very last thing she tried on which meant we were finished! She was so patient trying on everything and I think I got more enjoyment that day just watching this cute, independent little girl and getting to know her. (The skirt was $2.99 which she tried on with her own top.)

Luz is no stranger to shopping at Discover Goodwill and told me she does so because of the prices and the idea that she’s reusing something instead of it going straight into a landfill. We shopped at the Discover Goodwill location at Circle and as always, a big thanks to the staff for letting me come in and take pictures and for their help. The day we shopped, the dressing room was mostly full of other kids and their moms buying back-to-school clothes and they were all having fun. A  couple of the moms told me it was so less stressful shopping at Goodwill rather than at the mall and the low prices allowed them to buy more than they otherwise would have been able to.

I once read something Luz wrote about Ophelia and after spending a very small amount of time with her, I agree. Luz wrote, “Pretty sure Ophelia is going to be an activist one day. She has some very strong opinions and a very strong moral compass.” A little girl who likes to wear pink, march in parades, love on her cat and 2 dogs, enjoy math and reading, be compassionate and loving with others, and already care about the environment and the world she lives in…and she’s just starting first grade!

Thanks Ophelia for being such a sport and I really enjoyed meeting you!

Here’s the final dress Ophelia went home with (Epic Threads dress $5.99 and black George tights $1.99.)