February means a lot of things; 28 days, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day and, at HHS, the production of the winter musical all are key elements of the month. However, it means one very crucial thing to a large group of children: the St. Jude’s Fashion Show.

Every February, Harrisonburg High School hosts the fashion show, along with Reflections Bridal, Prom and Pageant. The show not only lets girls show off their beauty but it raises money for an important program in the US: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a nonprofit organization that treats children, with “no child denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.”

Maurizio Antonnicola, the fashion marketing instructor at HHS, is also the sponsor of the Key Club. He has arranged for Key Club to host this event for the past couple years, and he said that there is always a good turnout.

“Key Club provides snacks and ushering and we have about 300-400 people who turn out,” Antonnicola said.

The money is raised through ticket sales, both at the door and from the models.

“Every model has to earn $100–sell ten tickets–and all money goes to St. Judes,” Antonnicola said. Senior Walkiria Estevez, who has modeled in past years and is planning on modeling again, said raising money was one of the best parts.

“I like the cause. I like being able to raise money for kids with cancer,” Estevez said.

Senior and president of Key Club Sara Franco explained that models in the show come not only from HHS, but from county schools in the area. She added that she wasn’t usually very involved in the show.

“I joined Key Club last year but I just took pictures [at the show]. I don’t want to model because I’m shy,” Franco said. Instead of modeling, Franco said she would volunteer behind the scenes, as she still believed it was a good cause.

“Those kids really need the money. It’s really sad to see the pictures and know they’re so young but have so much future. It’s nice to know that we as students can help them,” she said.

Antonnicola described that the show not only raises money for a good cause but it raises the confidence of the girls modeling.

“I like how the girls are shy about doing it [but when] they come out [they] feel proud of themselves and [proud of the fact] that it’s not just for show. They think, ‘I’m not just beautiful in a dress; I’m helping children at St. Judes,’” Antonnicola said. Franco agreed, adding that it was her favorite part.

“The fact that by doing things that are fun, you can help other people. It’s nice that girls can use their beauty to help the kids,” Franco said.

Estevez explained that she enjoys being able to spend time with the other models and wear beautiful dresses for a good cause. She wore her favorite dress her junior year.

“It was this big poofy pink dress. I fell in love it it; I felt like I was Cinderella,” Estevez said, smiling.

Antonnicola estimated about 300 people in the audience at the fashion show, with twenty models in the show.

“The audience was very positive, and even the girls who were shy about it at first were glad they’d done it,” Antonnicola said.