The Skyline College cosmetology department recently gained recognition and an award for raising over $600 for breast cancer awareness … by wearing blue jeans.

Lee’s National Denim Day, sponsored by Lee’s brand jeans company, took place on Oct. 10 during which cosmetology students donated $5 apiece to wear jeans while they worked.

“Everybody paid $5 to wear jeans of any kind-since we wear black and white uniforms all day, it was nice to have free dress,” said Cari Olocco, a cosmetology major. “Some people didn’t dress up but still donated money anyway.”

According to Co-department Coordinator May Lee, the cosmetology department’s fundraising activities extend well beyond the occasional event.

“We’ve been doing [Lee’s National Denim Day] for years,” Lee said. “I’ve only been collecting the money for the last three years, but other people before me have been doing it for a while.”

This year, the National Denim Day raised approximately $800, over $600 of which was from the cosmetology department alone.

“Last year we raised around $400, while the total raised school-wide was around $700, and we didn’t get any recognition,” Lee said. “This year that’s changed.”

“It was awesome,” said Renee Fernandez, a cosmetology student and president of the Cosmetology Club. “A chance to wear jeans is the best thing.”

Fernandez also stressed the importance of raising money for breast cancer awareness, as her grandmother died from it.

“Even though it happened years ago, I’ve always donated money,” Fernandez said.

“Everyone really donated to this,” Olocco said. “Some people donated a lot more than $5-one student even donated $100. We all did it because we wanted to and felt it was important.”

This year’s recognition award went over very well with those involved, according to Lee.

“It was really nice-the students were really proud of their work,” Lee said.