Many months of planning culminated in a successful drive for clothes donations at the Fashion-a-Bull show on April 3.
The goal of the event was to put something together that would require the efforts of the housing staff and USF St. Petersburg faculty to raise awareness and get students to donate to Community Action Stops Abuse, Inc.
Models walked out sporting clothes and jewelry by several St. Petersburg boutiques. Resident Assistant Jonathan Boyd emceed the show. The models were confident and showy, and received cheers from the audience as they went down the walkway.
“Being on stage was a very exciting feeling for me. It feels just like being on an actual runway — the emcee calling my name and saying what I was wearing,” said junior and aspiring model Allan Pinkerton. “In the crowd, I hear people cheering and clapping for me but meanwhile being engulfed by the runway lights as well as flashes from cameras.”
Of course, it wasn’t all students on stage. Regional Vice Chancellor Julie Wong, Dustin Pankow, the coordinator of multimedia programs for the University Student Center, and other staff surprised the audience with their own walks down the runway.
The clothes on display were provided by CASA, Benjamin’s Studio, Cometti’s Collections, Plato’s Closet, Rehab, All Sewn Up, Peur Fashion, Mc. B’s Men’s Clothing Broker, Overhead Surf Shop, Mia and Maxx Hair Studio, Stella and Dot by Tracy Meehan and the USFSP Bookstore. The show’s themes were “everyday casual,” “fun in the sun,” “formalwear” and “professional wear.”
During the show, Linda Crossman, the director of records and registration, took the stage to remind the audience why they were there, discussing the facts of domestic abuse and the lack of resources to support everyone that comes to CASA for help.
Many involved felt that the event marked a new standard on campus.
“I have never been more proud of myself and of the RA staff than when I peeked out from backstage and saw a huge crowd having a great time,” said Caitlin Green, a resident assistant.
“We set a bar for ourselves,” Boyd said. “Those shirts, socks, and pants add up.”
Students can definitely expect to see a show like this next year, he said.
