Sep 29, 2006

Sacred Heart students exhibit model behavior

By Kim Selby

The senior class of Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton brought reality television to the runway on Sept. 23. The 18th annual Senior Fashion Show, "Reality Runway," featured seniors and their parents strolling down the catwalk. At least 220 models wore the latest fall fashions from 17 different Peninsula stores. Rich Dioli, principal of Sacred Heart, welcomed guests to an evening of joy, sentiment and a bit of reality, saying, "Once again, this event will prove to be a night filled with enthusiasm, elegance and true family values."
Event co-chairs Linda Benevento, Pam Rosenkrans and Sue Sutherland worked tirelessly on this event for the past year. The event has become so popular that a waiting list was created for eager attendees.
The more than 600 guests were delighted with the "Survivor" thatched-roof bars and entrances to the tent that were constructed to look as though guests were walking onto a television set. Once inside, each table had a retro TV set as a centerpiece. Complementing the centerpieces were tablecloths that featured bold, black and white designs reminiscent of the 1960s.
The evening was all about the kids, and the show began with an "American Idol" segment. Sacred Heart teachers Jake Moffett, Connie Solari and Chris Martin gave their best impressions of "Idol" judges Randy, Paula and Simon. Hillsborough seniors Caroline Lewis and Y.D. Hosking, future idol contestants, wowed the audience with an amazing vocal duet of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." The judges were unable to find a negative thing to say about the performance, and the audience exploded with applause for the talented teens.
The entertainment and energy didn't stop there. Nearly all of the Sacred Heart seniors took part in this annual fundraiser.
Guests were treated to "Senior Dance" segments to "Survivor" and "SoYou Think You Can Dance." Fashion segments featured themes such as "Beauty and the Geek," with fashions for girls from Pickled, the hot fashion-forward boutique in Redwood City.
Dayna Marr, owner of the popular store, has provided merchandise for the Sacred Heart show for several years.
"Road Rules," "The Amazing Race," "The Apprentice" and "Celebrity Poker" featured sons modeling with their mothers. North Face, Lucky, Talbot's and Brooks Brothers provided outfits for these reality moments on the runway.
Daughters who modeled with their fathers displayed their true-to-life modeling skills in "America's Next Top Model" as they primped and posed for their fathers, who acted as paparazzi. The elegant cocktail dresses were provided by Romi. Seniors Christina Ramsay and Lara Ortiz-Luis and their fathers Chip Ramsay and Louie Ortiz-Luis wowed the audience with their flair and professionalism.
The "Survivor" fashion segment was a big hit with the crowd, as dads and daughters wearing island fashions from Kumar in Redwood City, and moms and sons in Tommy Bahama, showed off their best hula moves. Travis and Jo Benson, along with Sam and Helen Chaknova, swayed to the music.
Other models included John and Chick Runkel, Natalie and Paul Rochester, Hilary and Michael McMahon, Adam and Linda Leao, Kimberly and Grant Culpan, Kim and Kevin Diefendorf, Ally and Rod Walters and Katie and Bruce Paschal.
Other fashion partners included Les Deux Copines - an exclusive boutique in Burlingame - Calla, Cassis, Cache Kuhlman and Selix.

Clair de Lune fashion show
Fashion was in the air last weekend as Clair de Lune hosted a fall fashion show benefiting A Breath Away From a Cure on Sept. 22. Boutique owners Danielle Hicks and Andrea Parks opened their doors to friends and customers for the fashion show and shopping extravaganza. A portion of the evening's proceeds - raised by avid fashionistas - was donated to A Breath Away From a Cure.
The local models who were fortunate enough to wear the boutique's exquisite clothing were Danelle Meadows, Julie Dinsmore, Janelle Sinclair, Suzette Wilke, Stephanie Rodriguez, Jennifer Matas, Tammika Bennett and Karina Rodriguez.
Those who shopped until they dropped and applauded the fashions included Molly Barrango, Jennifer Hughes, Janis Beltramo, Debi Hallowell, Diohonne Beltramo, Jenna Beltramo, Jamie Lewis and Marianne Duffy.
Bonnie Addario, who happens to be the mother of sisters Parks and Hicks, started the foundation one year ago to raise funds for research, and more importantly, awareness of lung cancer. Addario proudly applauded her daughters for volunteering to produce this fundraiser. She said, "They are actually saving lives by bringing awareness to the importance of early detection of lung cancer."
Addario herself is a cancer survivor, and several of her family members have suffered from lung cancer as well. She says that "Early detection is key - it's not just for smokers, it affects nonsmokers as well."
She is passionate about her cause and knows her facts about the deadly disease. An average of 450 people die each day. Lung cancer also kills more women than breast cancer because there is no screening available. And with fundraisers such as the fashion show, Addario will reach more people with her search for a cure.


Kim Selby's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. For consideration, send event information to 324 High Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mail amurray@dailynews group.com.