Students model in charity fashion show

Models junior Lizzy Arnold, seniors Kenize and Haley Dalrymple, junior Caroline Whipple and seniors Payton Faddis and Mireya Edwards Nino pose after the show.

Wildcat Photo

Models junior Lizzy Arnold, seniors Kenize and Haley Dalrymple, junior Caroline Whipple and seniors Payton Faddis and Mireya Edwards Nino pose after the show.

For multiple years, the De Soto High School prom committee has participated in the Natalie M. Foundation fashion show to fundraise for De Soto’s prom. On Jan. 14, 35 DHS students walked the runway in the ballroom at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.

Two hours before the show, all of the models met at the hotel and learned how to walk like a model and look professional on the runway. Junior volunteer model Aylin Rocha thought this was important, due to the fact that almost all of the students there had little to no modeling experience.

“It was good to be exposed to what they were looking for as far as walking down the runway,” Rocha said. “We had a chance to practice what to do before we put our dresses on.”

Overall, the show lasted around an hour, with all the girls being seen on stage two times: Once to display their dress alongside a partner and another time for the final walk with all of the models.

However, the Natalie M. show wasn’t exclusively for modeling gowns, as there were several male DHS students who modeled tuxedos and suits. The boys walked more than two times, due to an unequal guy to girl model ratio.

“I really liked the fashion show because it was a fun opportunity to learn the ins and outs of fashion shows,” junior model Evan Sauro said.

In order to participate in the show, students have to sell tickets to the show or fundraise on their own to be able to walk the runway. Each student needed to generate at least $100 to participate.  One hundred percent of these funds go directly into the DHS prom budget. The Natalie M. Foundation is then able to attract customers with the advertising the show provides as well as the tickets being sold.

In all, the show helped DHS earn a total of $3,500 for prom. This money will be used to pay for the expenses that come from planning a prom, including decorations, venue rental, a DJ and much more.

De Soto’s prom will be held on April 28 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. The theme is to be decided in upcoming weeks by the prom committee.