By Myra Bean

Batesville native Leonard Pegues will present his Independence Day Fashion Show tonight at the junior high school gymnasium at 7 p.m.

The show, in association with Reflection Model Agency, has a general admission of $20. Proceeds from this fashion show will fund scholarships for students, Pegues said.

Pegues, who will turn 54 next week, got his start modeling at Billy Downs’ Sims Clothing in 1980.

He has recently broken into the acting business and will star in a show with Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson which will be released in December called “Vice.”

He will also appear in another movie, “Paper Trail.”

Pegues has been modeling for 39 years and has traveled across the United States for different assignments. He will celebrate his birthday at Saturday’s show.

Reflecting on his years at South Panola schools, he said, ““I thank God for all the obstacles that have turned into opportunities. I thank God for my hometown,” he said.

He also quoted Nelson Mandela, “It may seem impossible until it is done.”

Pegues appeared on the New Year’s edition cover of the magazine Mahogany and on the book cover of Genevieve D. Woods’ The Great Love: Volumes of Love’s Reflection.

Pegues said he will give some books away at the fashion show.

Cutline:   Leonard Pegues pictured with the car he drives in the movie Vice, scheduled for release in December.