Millennium Charter Academy fifth through eighth graders went glamorously extreme on Friday.

Rex and Susan Ballard visited the school at the invitation of music teacher Rodney Money. Susan is a make-up artist who has worked with stars including Andy Griffith, Digger Phelps and members of Destiny’s Child. Rex is working as a cinematographer with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Both work as freelance agents meaning they have the opportunity to move from job to job without the pressure of a contract.

They were at the school to talk to students about their chosen career paths and how they got their start. Both Rex and Susan are from Cary and now work in Hollywood-based fields. They were able to show the students that these careers are not unattainable.

“It’s not out of reach. We’re from North Carolina and we work the Hollywood business,” said Rex. “This is a chance to give back.”

“Our hope is for them to love what they end up doing as much as we do,” said Susan.

Rex, who is the owner and president of Ballard Productions, spent time talking to students about his experiences operating a camera on different sets. As a freelancer, he is never tied to one show but likes Extreme Makeover so much he decided to continue working with that production. He brought one of his cameras to the school to show students how it works and even explained how the filming process works for television shows.

Susan discussed her background working as a model and how that led to her becoming a make-up artist. She talked about working with different people and how they each need different amounts of make-up before they go in front of the camera.

Then, she did a makeover for two students at the school to show how that process works and the difference make-up can make.

Marissa Petri and Jordan Atkins were the two lucky students who won the makeovers. They were able to take a seat in the make-up chair and undergo a transformation before their peers’ eyes, complete with before and after shots.

One point that Susan emphasized was the difference make-up can make to the way people feel about themselves. When they feel as though they look good, they tend to carry themselves differently.

“I feel like the same person but it also feels weird getting all these compliments,” said Petri. “It’s amazing how light it feels. It makes me feel like I’m glowing.”

“It’s just cool. I don’t know how to describe it,” said Atkins, who said the only part he noticed was that his lips felt weird.

Atkins and Petri both realized how unique their experience was and enjoyed the process.

“It was interesting. It’s a one-of-a-kind thing. You don’t get to meet people like her every day,” said Atkins. “It truly was an honor. I like the way I look.”

“I never thought that would ever happen. You see things backstage at fashion shows on television, but I never thought that would happen to me,” said Petri.

Rex and Susan learned from the students at the school as well. They were able to speak with some of the students about the different charities they try to support and the projects they have undertaken to raise money for them.

“We learned a lot today. This motivated me just as much to care too, to be a part of students’ lives,” said Rex. “The children are our future. I wish this could be an example all schools could go by. (The students) love their school. That’s really, really awesome.”

They were at the school as part of the Art Converging with Technology program Millennium put on the week before. Due to scheduling conflicts, they were unable to be at the school during that time. Millennium officials worked with them to set up Friday’s session because of their desire to visit the school and share their experiences.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.