Sheer Elegance was grand fun
Of the St. Louis American
It’s official.
Black and red go great together.
The combination of bright, vibrant red and a gorgeous array of diverse models made the Sheer Elegance Fashion Show a smash hit with more than 2,000 people in the Chase Park Plaza Khorassan Room.
The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club’s annual Girls’ Program fundraiser featured red-hot Macy’s fashions and some familiar faces modeling, including Vicki Newton of KMOV Channel 4.
The show was dedicated to the memory of Charles “Big Charlie” Ruprecht, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Club’s Girls’ Program.
“This great cause not only supplies a lot of holiday fun and fashion glitz, it also offers a window to a world of opportunities for 10,000 young women in our Girls’ Program,” said Barbara A. Washington, the show’s originator and Mathews-Dickey vice president of public relations and special events.
“Our programs help young women develop strong study skills and healthy lifestyles, master technology, learn teamwork through athletic competition, explore the arts, earn college scholarships and meet career-building mentors.”
The Sheer Elegance Award was presented to four leaders for their civic and community contributions: Allison Collinger, director corporate communications & community outreach, St. Louis Rams, Inc.; Cleveland Hammonds, Jr., retired superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools; Christine Buck and Wendy Wiese.
Bonita Cornute stood in for Wiese as a co-host this year and joined with Buck to create an enjoyable afternoon of fine food and fashion.
Martin Mathews thanked the many sponsors that helped make the show “spectacular.”
“Macy’s has really made this special,” he said before the models hit the runway.
Major sponsors are Macy’s Midwest, Anheuser-Busch, Inc., BJC HealthCare, Citigroup, Joan Callis, John and Alison Nichols Ferring and The Monsanto Fund.
Nettie’s Flower Garden was the exclusive floral sponsor.
“Without all of you and are media supporters, this would not be possible.”
The 18 Girls’ Program honorees also modeled magnificent gowns and gracefully walked down the runway escorted by various media and business celebrities. Many of the girls are straight-A students.
Recognized for outstanding academic and community service were CoreyAnn Burns, 12, Cheerleading; Alexandria Butler, 17, Choir; Kate Christman, 17, Basketball; Lynette Clay, 14, Volunteer Tutorial; Tyler Eastman, 14, Modeling; Dalila Franklin, 17, Summer Day Camp; Ashley Hall, 12, Computer Literacy Instruction Program; Stephanie Hart, 15, PR & Special Events; Brittany Levi, 17, Dance; Cherlier McClendon, 15, Motivation Vocation Preparation; Courtney McIntyre, 17, Sports; Brittnay Montgomery, 16, The Sky is the Limit; Brittany Morris, 17, Community Service; Gabrielle Ray, 14, Health & Wellness; Brittany Toliver, 17, Cultural Arts; YaShure’ Tucker, 16, Young Women In Leadership; Benetta Ward, 17, After-School; and Kathleen Williams, 17, Music.
