The stage in Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School's cafeteria was converted into a fashion runway Friday when seventh-grade leadership students modeled classy to casual attire to help raise funds for the new Cancer Center at Regional Medical Center being built in Carson City.

To the cheers of an appreciative and enthusiastic crowd, nearly 30 participants, mostly girls, strolled along the makeshift walkway and under a brightly lit arch, dressed to the nines, in formal wear as well as fashionable western, hip snowboarder, skateboarder, motocross and basketball styles.

The ear-splitting punk/rock sounds of the band, The Devices, kept the young audience entertained between outfit changes during the "2005 Fashion High" fashion show, a High Five project to raise funds for a worthy cause.

"Putting together this fashion show fund-raiser allowed the students to think outside the box and learn how, by working together, they could help the community," said seventh-grade leadership teacher Telsche Saunders, whose students, by selling tickets to the show and accepting donations, raised more than $200 for the cancer center. The center is expected to open in 2006. "This project offered them an opportunity to get organized and problem solve as a team."

Saunders said her students unanimously agreed to support the cancer center by hosting a fashion show, which featured everything from colorful prom dresses worn by the girls and white shirts with loud ties donned by the boys to the latest in hip-hop skate gear.

"Every student in the show has been touched by someone with cancer," said Saunders, adding that show hostess Megan Parker was "passionate" about supporting the cancer center because her father, Barry, is battling the dreaded disease.

Megan accompanies her father on his lengthy trips to a Reno hospital for treatment every week.

"I'm so proud and extremely happy my classmates support this cause," Megan said. "Our community needs a cancer center closer to home. It is such a long drive to Reno."

Megan stood on stage and announced the names and described the outfits worn by the show's energetic participants while they strutted their stuff on the runway.

Shannon Lopez and her sister, Martisha, proudly displayed silky silver prom dresses topped with a net shawl.

"I've never worn a prom dress before," said Shannon, who looks forward to wearing one again when her class graduates in 2010. "I want to be a model, so this was a good experience. I was nervous and excited walking on the runway."

Shannon and Martisha had extra incentive to participate in the fashion show. Their uncle, Charles, is fighting cancer.

"Cancer has touched our family," Shannon said. "I'm glad the money from our show will go for a good cause.

Students participating in 2005 Fashion High and fashion category include:

Skateboarding: Doug Lopez, Skylar Edwards and Sierra Larson;

Snowboarder: Neil Luzzi, Lindsay McKay, Nick Nalder, Amanda Soto and Doug Lopez;

Basketball: Johnny Sheerin, Kevin Quenga, Jessica Nalder, Skylar Edwards and Natalie Goldberg;

Western: Jessica Nalder and Nick Nalder;

Motorcross: Nick Lapin;

Formal: Corey Trujillo, Kevin Quenga, Joey Yniquez and Nick Lapin, Danielle Laing, Sandy Lopez, Ashley Murray, Chelsea Weekley, Lindsay McKay, Amanda Soto, Martisha Lopez, Malina Wilson, Brianna Carney, Christina Hennig, Ashley Thomas, Natalie Goldberg, Lizzie Nunez and Cassidy Munoz.



-- Trent Carruthers can be reached at 782-5121, ext. 210 or by e-mail at

tcarruthers@recordcourier.com.