Fashion show dazzles crowd, funds Children's Center

Tyler Shouse models menswear on the runway in the auditorium at Nevada High School last Friday night, while another model waits in the wings. The event, presented by Nevada High School Action gifted program students, was a benefit for the Children's Center. Students conceived and coordinated the event. The show featured 15 models, most of whom were Nevada High School students.

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

"It was fabulous. Really fabulous," said a woman as she left the auditorium at Nevada High School Friday night. The woman had just watched a show featuring 15 students modeling the creations of three area fashion designers.

Billed as "Midwest Flavor with Worldwide Spice," the producers -- Nevada High School Action gifted program students Whitney Smith, Cassie Driskel and Stephenie Kirkham -- brought together a glamorous mix of music and fashions. The clothes featured ranged from casual, every day attire for the average man or woman, to formal wear to traditional international costumes.

The show offered a three-fold benefit. First, the show was presented as a fund-raiser for The Children's Center. Second, the audience enjoyed an evening's entertainment and, third, students had a unique and effective learning experience.

Action is the Nevada High School's gifted program, which offers students independent learning opportunities in a structured setting. Students can choose a project that interests them and follow it through research, development and completion.

"We've had students make guitars -- all sorts of things," said Peg Miller, Action advisor.

Miller said students did have some difficulties to overcome, but on the night of the show, she wasn't worried about the outcome.

"Win, lose or draw, we've met our goal. They've had quite a learning experience," Miller said, noting that the project had given the students practical knowledge of important life skills, like problem solving, critical thinking, time management and adaptive coping skills.

Although some audience members expressed dismay that more people hadn't attended the show, its producers expressed elation at a job well done mixed with melancholy that it hadn't lasted longer.

Kirkham said, "We learned so much. I think it went very smoothly, especially for a first try. We learned so much about business and about what it takes to put something like this together. And the community was so involved. We were so pleased with how much help we received from so many people."

Donated goods, publicity and time were among the helpful items given by the community that helped make the show a success.

Smith said creating the show was a challenge, and much of the blocking was done by trial-and-error, but by the time a dress rehearsal was conducted, she'd been confident the show would go well.

There were a few pauses in the action onstage as models raced to meet the quick pace of the show, but "so much of it just fell into place," Smith said.

After the show, models, producers and audience members gathered for refreshments, which were also prepared by Action students.

"Everyone had a great time," Smith added.