Sara Kahrs
Not many aspiring college graduates earn a degree
in three years, let alone do so while working three jobs
and then land a position as a designer at one of the top
corporations in America. But, Sara did just that.
Sara Kahrs
“Fit tech duties include communicating the
spec measurements to the factories for the desired
fit, measuring samples as the arrive, fitting garments
on body forms and live models, and communicating
needed changes to the factories to achieve the desired
fit before the product is released into production,” Sara
explains.
While at MU, Sara designed, cut and sewed a 100
percent cotton creation for the Mizzou Botanic Garden
Plant Fashion Show. She also applied and was selected
to participate in Kansas City Fashion Week as a student
and twice as a professional designer. In addition to an
application and reference process, the Kansas City
Fashion Week also requires the applicant to provide
thoughts, ideas and aspirations for a collection that
would be created if selected.
In addition to her work at Bass Pro, Sara manages
her own fashion line, Sara Kahrs Designs. In this
capacity she designs women’s apparel as well as bridal
and formal wear. She lives in Springfield.
Darcy Long
A May 2013 MU graduate, Sara earned a degree
in textile and apparel management with an emphasis
in product development. While completing her
undergraduate degree, she worked as a lab assistant in
the textile and apparel sewing lab on campus, a position
chosen by department professors and staff. At the same
time, she logged hours at Aerie as a sales associate and
at David’s Bridal as an alterations specialist.
Shortly after graduation, the aspiring young
designer secured a position with Bass Pro Corporate and
has already grown through four positions in her tenure
with the company. She currently is a technical designer
for the company’s men’s line and a fit technician for
ladies clothing.
16
HEARTBEAT | WINTER 2015
A student at Hannibal-LaGrange College where
she is pursuing a degree in early childhood education,
Darcy hopes to teach elementary school following
graduation in May 2016. She’s a member of the Student
Missouri State Teachers Association and works at
Hannibal Children’s Center, which is affiliated with
Hannibal Regional Hospital. As the lead teacher for
school age children, Darcy works in the after school
program from August through May and facilitates
curriculum and field trips during the summer months.
Darcy is engaged to marry Quinton Robertson in
May 2016.
Rebecca Nelson
Australian cattle dogs in action, a koala sanctuary,
the Australia zoo and a deer farm were all part of
Rebecca’s self-described amazing experience after
spending a month in the land down under while in
college.
“Two of my favorite things were the mountains and
the Stradbroke Island,” she says. “Stradbroke Island was