Students paraded up and down a fashion runway Saturday with an array of dresses and casual attire at Islip High School’s annual fashion show.

Parent, Teacher, and Student Association (PTSA) president Stacy Zurbarian ran the event to raise money for scholarships and arts and cultural events for the students of Islip High School.

“It’s also for the kids. Even though we organize it, they run it on their own and always have a great time,” Zurbarian said. With a $5 entry fee and multiple raffle tickets being sold, the fashion show allows for further events to be held, all while the kids are enjoying their high school experience.

Legis. Samuel Gonzales of the 9th District was also in attendance, showing support for the school, students, and community. Along with him, the principal, assistant principal, more of the faculty and staff, and friends and families came to support the students.

The Town of Islip Youth Bureau collects donations from the public, like the gowns the students displayed, and offers them to others for free; the students were able to keep the gowns they modeled. The casual wear was donated to the school for the show by Sweet Simplicity Boutique and Nalu Dry Goods. The M.C. for the event was Islip High School senior Lucas Bohr.

This event is inclusive to the students at Islip High School, as many students volunteered to help with raffles and greeting people as they walked in. “The kids from the cosmetology department did most of everyone’s hair, and a lot of the school comes together, and they’re really involved in the whole process,” Zurbarian said.

The event was held in the school’s cafeteria, which was transformed with its decorations and raffle prizes that were strategically placed throughout the room. The runway itself was lined with lights, and there were photographers at the end of the runway to have the full fashion show effect.

Once the show was over, everyone who modeled the clothes joined the audience in their gowns and dresses and took pictures with their families while receiving appraisal from those in attendance. “The kids get to dress up and have the best time. They work so hard and always look forward to the events we set up for them, and everyone is always so happy,” Zurbarian said. n

Himma Sharma is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.