‘Red is my mama’s big heart’

Iridescent green and sea blue adorn the lids of Katrina Roberson’s excited eyes. Dressed in her work uniform, she looks like a star, flashing sly grins at the students while swiping cards at Rams Head Dining Hall.

For Roberson, each day is a chance to showcase her makeup skills and, more importantly, to celebrate the things most dear to her.

She travels 30 minutes to Chapel Hill each day to work, leaving behind her mother and six siblings.

“I love my family,” she said. “I want to be with them all the time.”

But Roberson has found a way to keep her family with her while away from home. She models her makeup after her seven family members, using a different color to represent each member of her family.

“Red is my mama’s big heart and the love she shares with all of us. Yellow is for my sister, Melodye, because she is like an orchid — beautiful and sweet,” she said. “Orange is my brother, Ben, because he brightens everybody’s day. Blue is for Johnny, like the sky. You can always look to him for guidance.”

Since she was a young girl, Roberson said she has loved dressing up for her family, modeling, singing and acting as characters from television shows. She said she would love to someday showcase her bold makeup to the world outside of Chapel Hill.

“I want to be a model,” she grinned, “But I know there’s more than just being beautiful.”

Indeed, Roberson brings a bit of glamour to Rams Head every day. Her colorful makeup also brightens UNC students’ days.

“It helps the students,” she said with a smile. “Without it, I feel like I’ve let the students down. If I’m not wearing any, the students ask, ‘Are you feeling OK?’”

Freshman Kelly Olesiuk said she enjoys guessing the color Roberson will wear next.

“It’s like when I was little and I used to watch Wheel of Fortune, and Vanna always had on a different color dress,” she said. “I always wonder what color makeup this lady is going to have on.”

Roberson said students often make suggestions as to what color she should wear.

“Even the guys say, ‘I love the eye stuff you have on,’” she said.

After the last lone students have trickled from the dining hall, Roberson said she realizes what is most important in her life.

“I’m afraid if I get into the modeling business, I will forget where I came from,” she said. “I don’t want to do that. I love where I’m from. I love Chapel Hill. I love my family. I just don’t want to lose the fun.”

And though she is happy to return to her family each night, she looks forward to each new day — head held high and eyes sparkling with the varying colors of her world.



Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.