Syosset high school and elementary school students walked the runway in style and with a purpose at the 5th annual Syosset High School Fashion Show on Monday, March 23. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Sunrise Day Camp Association, which provides free day camps for children with cancer and their siblings.
Organized by students in Syosset High School’s Fashion Club, the show featured 20 models from the high school and multiple elementary schools in the district. The high school students walked the runway twice and the elementary school students once. About 50 people attended the event, which raised more than $700 for Sunrise Day Camps.
“We had a really great turnout,” said Taylor Lembo, a business education teacher and junior varsity cheerleading coach at the high school, who is also adviser to the fashion club.
“The show gets better and better every year and we’re always trying new things with it,” Lembo said, noting that this was the first year elementary school students participated in the show. “The younger kids were excited to have an opportunity to model, and we were excited to have them join us.”
Clothing featured in the show was provided by local boutiques Denny’s, Ruby and Jenna, and Max & Gino’s Clothing.
Photography students from the high school documented the event, while students from the school’s rock band class played music.
Cosmetology students from the Nassau BOCES program did the models’ hair and makeup.
Lembo said she was proud of the students for collaborating to put on such a successful show. Many students end up working as camp counselors at Sunrise, she said, so they develop a personal connection with the organization.
“It’s nice to get as many people involved in the show as possible,” Lembo said. “Everyone gets real world experience of producing an event like this.”
The show also included a raffle with prizes donated from local businesses, including Bagel Master, Catch the Wave, Here Hot Yoga+ Strength, Mixology Clothing Company, On Parade Diner, Sweetie Pies on Main, and Woodbury Sports.
Nine prize baskets were raffled off, each featuring items from local businesses, including yoga and Pilates classes and gift cards.
Senior Brooke Mayer, president of the Fashion Club, said she valued how much she has learned and grown through this experience.
“Bringing this show to life took months of dedication, creativity, and teamwork,” Mayer said. “Leading it helped me grow as a leader and become more creative and confident. I gained real world skills that will help me in college and future internships. I’m really proud of what our club accomplished and excited to support an amazing organization like Sunrise Day Camp.”
