On Saturday, August 5, Maricopa Women in Business (MWIB) held their first annual Back-to-School Fashion Show at the ballroom at Harrah’s Resort and Casino. The group put on the event in order to raise funds for the 2007 MWIB Scholarship.
The annual scholarship, awarded for the first time in 2006, will be presented each year to a deserving senior female graduate from Maricopa, enrolled at a two or four-year college. Kristen Carr, MWIB President, stated, “Our goal as local business owners is to support the advanced education of the students in our community.”
MWIB members Kristen Carr, Nancy Petersen, Kimberly Diedrich and Ceylan Gentilella take tickets at the door.
The fashion show, organized by Celeste Interrante, MWIB Fundraising Chair, took several months to plan. Harrah’s ballroom was generously donated by the Ak-Chin Community as part of their enthusiastic support for the event. Guests enjoyed a light lunch while they watched local, volunteer models showcase fall fashions from Wal-Mart and J.C. Penny of Casa Grande for kids, teens, and adults. Each guest received a door prize ticket, and lucky winners were awarded gift certificates donated by Ramsey’s American Grill and Wal-Mart of Casa Grande.
Raffle tickets sold well due to popular prizes donated exclusively by MWIB members. Prizes included a Pampered Pooch Basket, salon and spa packages, a one-year scholarship to Desert Sun Performing Arts and a crowd favorite, a weekend getaway to Rocky Point, Mexico. Floral centerpieces, created and donated by Cindy Dunn of Cotton Blossoms Floral Design, were raffled off to guests. MWIB received assistance from talented community volunteers for modeling, hair, make-up, photography and videography.
Celeste Interrante described the fashions as the talented models (below) took the runway.
Interrante commented, “This was the largest event that MWIB has put on to date. The group pulled together and worked extremely hard to ensure its success. We’re working to grow the event each year so that we can not only raise funds for the MWIB scholarship but also continue an annual community event that everyone looks forward to and supports.”
The group’s goal is to raise enough scholarship money to make a difference in the college careers of Maricopa’s young adults. For more information about MWIB, the MWIB Scholarship fund, scholarship applications — or to donate funds, please go to the group’s Web site or contact Kristen Carr, MWIB president, via email.
