For Nyack, Annual Fashion Fundraiser Brings in $15K

Last night, high-fashion raised over $14,000 for Nyack students.

Yesterday evening, with over 230 in attendance, held its 18th annual Fashion Show Dinner to raise funds for Project Graduation and various scholarships. Community members gathered at the Pearl River Hilton to support a program that spotlights local merchants and aims to reduce alcohol-related deaths on graduation nights across the country.

Project Graduation is based on a national model; it is an alcohol and drug-free all-night celebration held at Nyack High School the evening of graduation. It features entertainment, sports, raffles and camaraderie on the final night of school.

"My children loved project graduation," said Kelly Zabel, a Nyack parent. "I remember one of them dressing in a sumo wrestling outfit, and they had a blast."

The first PTSA fundraiser fashion show was held in 1993, but has grown since. Now, the monies raised at the fashion show have provided over $32,000 in scholarships. (The average for the past years has been $13,000.) The scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who write a noteworthy essay about their experience, activity or volunteer service at the high school or in their community.

Last night’s festivities were co-chaired by Annjanet Woodburn and Lucy Perez. The committee accumulated hundreds of raffle prizes from the community and enlisted their dapperly-dressed husbands and other men in the audience as "runners" to take the prizes to the appropriate winners at each table. (One such runner? Nyack High School principal Joe Spero.)

"I have been involved for the past five years and, co-chaired with Lucy Perez this year,” said Annjanet Woodburn. "I am so glad to help."

With Nyack High School Assistant Principal, Rudy Arietta as the Master of Ceremonies, the evenings highlight was the fashion show. Nyack staff and administration were models and escorts. Fashions were provided by Gena Lisa, Grandview and Maria Louisa, all on Broadway in Nyack, and P. Ross on Main Street and Toma Holley Designs on Burd Street.

Nyack and Valley Cottage administration models and escorts were:

Rudy Arietta, Jenifer Baca, Erica Castellano, John Castellano, Andrea Coddett, Christian Collazo, Shari Colucci, Christine Dardzinski, Peggy D’Auria, Erika Formosa, Meredith Handit, Kirsten Kleinman, Edgar Lambert, Andrea Lanzetta, Patricia Lora, Mary Beth Malony, Robin Maslanek, Adele Metrakos, Jeanmarie O’Sullivan, Deirdre O’Hagan, Kathryn Petekiewicz, Debbie Piesco, Michael Ramponi, Donna Ramundo, Pat Seminelli, Joe Sigillo, Joe Spero, Lisa St. John, Isabela Valenzuela, Pia Weston and Fernando Agramonte.

The event was organized with the help of co-chairs:

Lucy Perez, Annjanet Woodburn, Rita Blinn, Maria Crisafi, Allison Crofoot, Gloria Fleming, Lauren Gallo, Rita Kotorac, Gerylanne Kramer, JeanMarie Maldonado, Jeanmarie O’Sullivan, Laurie Strauss (who also provided all the wonderful balloons, photographs and Fashion Show Journal), Michelle Sullivan, Gina Sundvik, Dee Visconti and Kelly Zabel.

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To become an active member of the Nyack High School PTSA, contact Gloria Fleming at (845) 353-5722 or Linda Savino at (845) 268-6181.