Maricopa Women in Business award scholarships due to fashion show’s success

This year Maricopa Women in Business were able to award two $1000 scholarships in May to graduating seniors Kari Baker and Kayla Valisto. Presenting the scholarships were MWIB Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Courtny Tyler of State Farm Insurance and Deborah Farhat of Long Realty Alliance.

All proceeds-nearly $2,000- from the spring fashion show went into the MWIB Scholarship Fund. 2007 marked the second year MWIB has awarded scholarship money, and the group hopes to increase the amount and/or number of scholarships each year.

MWIB held their 2nd Annual Fashion Show at Province Town Hall on May 12, just in time for Mother’s Day. The mother and daughter-themed show featured current fashions from Stein Mart, all worn by Maricopa women ranging in age from twelve to eighty-one. Maricopa fire fighters escorted the models.

Guests enjoyed lunch catered by MWIB Member Marsha Peters of Complete Culinary Services and performances by Desert Sun Performing Arts students directed by MWIB member Ceylan Gentilella and Maricopa Black Belt Academy students.

MWIB Fundraising Chair Celeste Interrante of Joe’s PC Solutions commented, “Everyone had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the performances.” Each guest was eligible for door prizes and had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for prizes donated by MWIB members and community sponsors.

Interrante added her thanks to “our generous sponsors, without whom we couldn’t have put on such an amazing event.” Special thanks went out to Stein Mart for providing the day’s fashions as well as personal sewing kits and store coupons for each guest. Rayne Water Conditioning supported the event by donating bottled water and a reverse osmosis system. Poco Loco donated a large number of the centerpieces, and Cotton Blossom provided additional arrangements.

Kristen Carr of Well Minded Pet Sitting, MWIB President, stated, “MWIB members pulled together to put on an incredible event that even topped last year’s fashion show. We are proud to have raised funds for a worthy cause.”

To learn more about Maricopa Women in Business, including community involvement, programs, membership, a service directory or to donate to the MWIB Scholarship Fund, log on to www.mwib.org.

Photos by Joyce Hollis